Bolivia hosted the Copa América for the second time in its 38th edition. It was held from 11 to 29 June. It was organized by CONMEBOL, South America's football governing body. There is no qualifying for the final tournament. All South American countries (10 countries) participate, along with two more invited countries, making a total of 12 teams competing in the tournament. In the 1997 edition, Costa Rica and Mexico were the invitees. The tournament was won by Brazil, who became the first team to hold the Copa América and the World Cup at the same time, a feat they would repeat in 2004. Venues Squads For a complete list of participating squads: 1997 Copa América squads Match officials Argentina Horacio Elizondo Bolivia René Ortubé Juan Carlos Paniagua Brazil Antônio Pereira Chile Eduardo Gamboa Colombia Rafael Sanabria Costa Rica Rodrigo Badilla Ecuador Byron Moreno Mexico Antonio Marrufo Paraguay Epifanio González Peru José Arana Uruguay Jorge Nieves United States Esfandiar Baharmast Venezuela Paolo Borgosano Group stage The teams were divided into three groups of four teams each. The formation of the groups was made by CONMEBOL, in a public drawing of lots that took place on 17 December 1996. Each team plays one match against each of the other teams within the same group. Three points are awarded for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a defeat. First and second placed teams, in each group, advance to the quarter-finals. The best third placed team and the second best third placed team, also advance to the quarter-finals. Tie-breaker If teams finish leveled on points, the following tie-breakers are used: greater goal difference in all group games; greater number of goals scored in all group games; winner of the head-to-head match between the teams in question; drawing of lots. Group A Group B Group C Ranking of third-placed teams At the end of the first stage, a comparison was made between the third-placed teams of each group. The two best third-placed teams advanced to the quarter-finals. Knockout stage Quarter-finals Semi-finals Third-place match Final Result Goalscorers With six goals, Luis Hernández is the top scorer in the tournament. In total, 67 goals were scored by 42 different players, with two of them credited as own goals. 6 goals Luis Hernández 5 goals Ronaldo 3 Goals Marcelo Gallardo Erwin Sánchez Leonardo Romário 2 goals Julio César Baldivieso Marco Etcheverry Djalminha