Argentina's dramatic Copa win drives record ratings

Field Level Media|published: Mon 8th July, 16:32 2024

Soccer: Copa America-Quarterfinal-Argentina vs Ecuador

Jul 4, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Argentina's striker Lionel Messi (10) control the ball against Ecuador during the first half in a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Defending Copa America champion Argentina's 4-2 victory over Ecuador in a penalty shootout on Thursday drew a record 1,869,000 million viewers on Fox.

The match -- the most watched Copa America non-U.S. quarterfinal telecast in U.S. English-language television history -- finished up 482 percent from the 2021 Copa America quarterfinal telecast average and up 57 percent from 2016.

Peak viewership (2,521,000) occurred between 11-11:15 p.m. ET.

Lionel Messi and Argentina, which is pursuing its record 16th Copa America championship, face Canada on Tuesday in the first semifinal in East Rutherford, N.J.

Uruguay takes on Colombia in the other semifinal on Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C.

The final will be contested on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Fla.

--Field Level Media