There may have not been the results that everyone expected but the first round of Copa América matches still provided plenty of talking points and much like a ride in a Buenos Aires taxi, it may have started off slowly not knowing exactly where it was going but in the coming weeks it will be doing a 110km/h along the freeway with you in the back seat wishing that seatbelts were mandatory.

Argentina and Bolivia kicked off proceedings in La Plata with all the eyes of Argentina on one man, Lionel Messi. So perceptive were those eyes that spotted that when he failed to utter a word during the national anthem his very loyalty to his country of birth was questioned. It wasn't until an increasingly frustrated Messi had a heated confrontation with a Bolivian opponent that the fans got around to actually chanting his name.

Bolivia, were clearly there to be party-poopers and thanks to some comical defending from Ever Banega and Sergio Romero gifted Brazilian born Edivaldo Rojas the opening goal of the tournament. Fortunately for the tournament hosts, Sergio Agüero, aka the father of the next superstar of Argentinean football, hammered home a brilliant volley fourteen minutes from time to save their blushes. In the group's other match Colombia defeated Costa Rica 1-0 in a match that failed to capture the imagination of anyone bar the fans of the team that took all three points.

Every tournament has its "Group of Death" but this edition of the Copa América decided to do things differently by having a "Group of Naked Ambition" as Group B will be now known. Just like at last year's World Cup, Paraguay's self-appointed "No.1 fan" Larissa Riquelme has again promised to do without clothes if her team brings the trophy back home to Asuncion. However, not to be outdone, Diosa Canales a "singer" from group rival Venezuela has also made the same promise should her boys also take home the trophy. Maybe she should aim a bit lower and promise to go without if they actually win a game as Venezuela has won more Miss Universe titles than Copa América matches. It is six to two if anyone is really interested.

Now that I've just guaranteed this website a few extra hits from pre-pubescent Latin Américan boys a look at the action on the pitch is probably warranted. Despite not a goal being scored in either match they were far from boring with the clash between Paraguay and Ecuador being especially entertaining as each team took turns to dominate proceedings. Fortunately (or unfortunately as their opponents may look at it) both goalkeepers were in fine form for their respective teams and kept the game scoreless.

In the "Group of Naked Ambition" match held earlier, Venezuela created their own bit of history becoming the first el vinotinto side not to be beaten by Brazil in a Copa América match. Brazil weren't without their opportunities but a combination of great goalkeeping, poor finishing, the woodwork and Robinho and Neymar trying to outdo themselves in the big hair stakes saw la seleçao fail to find the back of the net.

The theme of the pre-tournament favourite failing to fire continued as Group C got underway with Uruguay drawing 1-all with Peru. Much like their geographic neighbours on Day One la celeste went a goal down early courtesy of Paolo Guerrero, who capitalised on some lazy defending (think the Socceroos' attempt at an offside trap against Germany in the World Cup). Needless to say Uruguay were doing most of the attacking and it was no surprise that goal scoring machine and substitute goalkeeper Luis Suarez equalised just before half time and that was where the scoring ended as we saw our fourth draw in five match at that stage.

Performance-wise the best was saved for last as Chile defeated Mexico 2-1 in the final first round group game. Despite going a goal down just before half time, Chile maintained their attacking philosophy (this is still very much a Marcelo Bielsa influenced team, but just don't new coach Claudio Borghi I told you that) and were duly rewarded with two goals midway through the second half and in the process sent out a message to the other eleven teams.

So with our Copa América journey a little over a quarter of the way in, I recommend you hold on tightly as that taxi hurtles down the freeway hoping that the same bravado will be apparent in the remainder of the tournament. And if that taxi driver recommends a place to stay, ignore their suggestion.