'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQb/2gAIAQEAAAAAnSP/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAG/9oACAECEAAAAEP/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF/9oACAEDEAAAAB//xAAeEAACAgICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEAAUSIgZhov/aAAgBAQABPwDW09VQ1eujuLVmmeY167oZAj85SxIHHqVYZtvG4ZNrdcunaZz9H1n/xAAcEQEAAQQDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgADBAURMVH/2gAIAQIBAT8Ax9ZagslXle3yv//EABkRAAIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEEAAIDEv/aAAgBAwEBPwBp/bmoE//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Alejandro Gomez (Argentina)
Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez was an unused substitute in Argentina's first two matches at Copa America 2021. With Rodrigo De Paul rested, Gomez was handed a start in the game against Paraguay. He scored Argentina's only goal of the game with a lovely lobbed finish over Paraguayan goalkeeper Antony Silva.
Gomez was also excellent in possession and drove Argentina forward whenever he got hold of the ball. The 33-year-old scored a delightful volley against Bolivia and also won a penalty for Lionel Scaloni's men.
The Sevilla man has displayed a lot of energy and drive in his two outings so far. Manager Lionel Scaloni is now faced with the difficult task of choosing between Argentina's talented midfield options.
#2 Casemiro (Brazil)
Casemiro was crucial to Brazil maintaining control over the midfield realms in their Copa America 2021 opener against Venezuela. He was his usual energetic self and snuffed out opposition attacks and kickstarted moves for his side. The Real Madrid midfielder did not shy away from joining his attackers on occasion either.
He was allowed a lot of freedom in the game against Colombia. Reinaldo Rueda's men were happy to sit back and Casemiro put his passing abilities on display. He kept spraying passes into the flanks and his forwards throughout. Casemiro also scored a dramatic 100th minute winner against Colombia.
He also restored a fair amount of control into the midfield after coming off the bench against Ecuador in Brazil's final group stage game.
#1 Guido Rodriguez (Argentina)
Defensive midfielder Guido Rodriguez has been in great form for La Albiceleste at Copa America 2021. He played a starring role in all of Argentina's three wins in the group stage.
He turned in a match-winning performance against Uruguay. Rodriguez scored the only goal of the game after latching on to an inch-perfect cross from Lionel Messi. He also stood his ground against Rodrigo Bentancur and did a great job at impeding the opposition's attacks.
He was a lively presence in midfield in the game against Paraguay. Rodriguez was one of Argentina's best players in their final group stage game against Bolivia as well. The 27-year-old made as many as three interceptions. His recovery game was on point and he was also excellent at spurring Argentina's forays into the final third.
