The 1999 Copa América was a football tournament held in Paraguay, from 29 June to 18 July. It was organized by CONMEBOL, South America's football governing body. There was no qualifying for the final tournament. Mexico and Japan were invited to take part, with the latter becoming the first team to from outside the Americas to participate in the competition. Uruguay sent a youth team. Competing nations As with previous tournaments, all ten members of CONMEBOL participated in the competition. In order to bring the number of competing teams to twelve, CONMEBOL invited Mexico (accepting their fourth invitation) from the CONCACAF and Japan from the AFC. (holders) (invitee) (invitee) (hosts) Venues A total of four host cities hosted the tournament. The opening and final game were hosted by Estadio Defensores del Chaco. Squads For a complete list of participating squads: 1999 Copa América squads Venue selection Paraguay was chosen to be the venue by defeating Colombia by seven votes to three. 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. 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 Goal scorers With five goals apiece, Ronaldo and Rivaldo were the tournament's top scorers. In total, 74 goals were scored by 45 different players, with one credited as an own goal. 5 Goals Ronaldo Rivaldo 4 Goals Amoroso 3 Goals Martín Palermo Iván Zamorano Luis Hernández Miguel Ángel Benítez Roque Santa Cruz Marcelo Zalayeta 2 Goals Pedro Reyes Víctor Bonilla Iván Kaviedes Wagner