The Argentina national team expressed disappointment with the pitch conditions at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the inaugural match of the 2024 Copa América. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez described the newly installed grass surface as a ‘disaster,’ emphasizing the need for improvement to elevate the tournament’s standards. Manager Lionel Scaloni echoed Martínez’s sentiments, suggesting that the team’s victory over Canada was overshadowed by the subpar playing surface.

Despite securing a 2-0 win with goals from Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez, La Albiceleste criticized the decision to switch from the stadium’s synthetic surface to natural grass just two days before the event. Scaloni highlighted the lack of proper planning, drawing comparisons to previous unfavorable conditions experienced during the World Cup in Qatar.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS’ Atlanta United FC, underwent the grass installation at CONMEBOL’s request for the Copa América. However, players from both Argentina and Canada raised concerns about the quality of the pitch, with Canada defender Kamal Miller likening it to ‘walking on a stage.’

The last-minute change from artificial turf to grass led to criticisms from the teams, questioning the adequacy of the playing surface for professional football. Despite the victory, the Argentina national team stressed the impact of the pitch on their performance, indicating that it limited their ability to execute their game plan effectively.

The match, which attracted a crowd of 70,564 spectators, highlighted the importance of proper pitch maintenance and preparation for major tournaments. The teams’ dissatisfaction with the playing conditions serves as a reminder of the significance of providing optimal surfaces to ensure fair and competitive gameplay in international competitions.