The Copa América is South America's major tournament in senior men's football and determines the continental champion.
The two teams had met in four previous encounters, the latest being a friendly held at the Estadio Ramón Tahuichi Aguilera in Santa Cruz, which Panama won 3–1.
This match marked Panama's debut in Copa América, making them the third Central American country to appear at the tournament, after Costa Rica and Honduras.
Man of the Match:[2] Blas Pérez (Panama) Assistant referees:[3] Octavio Jara (Costa Rica) Juan Carlos Mora (Costa Rica) Fourth official:[3] Wilson Lamouroux (Colombia) Fifth official:[4] Peter Manikowski (United States) The two teams had met in just one previous occasion, a friendly match held at the Estadio Brigadier General Estanislao López in 2011, won by Argentina 3–1.
Man of the Match:[6] Lionel Messi (Argentina) Assistant referees:[3] Juan Zumba (El Salvador) William Torres (El Salvador) Fourth official:[3] Víctor Carrillo (Peru) Fifth official:[3] Coty Carrera (Peru) The two teams had met in three previous occasions, the last being a friendly held at the Estadio Municipal Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso in Coquimbo in 2010, which Chile won 2–1.