How Barça's players fared in the 2016 Copa América group stage

Three of the four current Blaugrana players competing are still alive, including Messi, Mascherano, and Bravo

Of the four FC Barcelona players who have seen action in this summer’s Copa America Centenario, three of them are still alive as the prestigious tournament heads into the knockout phase.

Claudio Bravo of Chile, and Leo Messi and Javier Mascherano of Argentina have made it out of Group D and into the quarterfinals.

A meeting in the final is possible, where fans in the United States would be treated to a rematch of last years’ title game.

Luis Suárez was on Uruguay’s roster, but did not play a single minute due to injury. Uruguay was knocked out early after losing their first two games.

Dani Alves, who recently announced he was moving on after eight seasons defending the Blaugrana shirt, was also given an early exit, as Brazil were sent packing after receiving the shock of the tournament, losing to Peru in their third game.

Here’s a closer look at what each current Barça player did in the group stage:

Leo Messi

The Barça striker scored three goals — all in the same game — to lead Argentina to three wins in three tries. He played just 75 minutes total, as La Albiceleste beat Chile, 2–1; Panama, 5–0; and Bolivia, 3–0. A hat trick, a double nutmeg, and a near goal on a free kick were the highlights.

Javier Mascherano

The defensive midfielder was the backbone of the Argentina national team in their first two games – which he started – although he did not play against Bolivia.

Claudio Bravo

The FC Barcelona goalkeeper, and captain of the defending Copa América champions, started and played all 90 minutes of Chile’s three games in Group D. After falling to Messi and Argentina, Chile rebounded to beat Bolivia, 2–1, and Panama, 4–2.

Luis Suárez

The 2015/16 Golden Shoe winner spent the weeks prior to the Copa América recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained in Barça’s Copa del Rey final win in mid-May.

Nevertheless, he was not ready for Uruguay’s first two games, a pair of 1–0 losses to Mexico and Venezuela. With Uruguay mathematically eliminated, Suárez also sat out the team’s 3–0 win over Jamaica.

from News at FCB http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/how-fc-barcelona-s-players-fared-in-the-2016-copa-america-group-stage