The Copa América kicked off with Argentina defeating Canada 2-0 on Thursday, however a FOX audio delay frustrated fans who tuned into FS1.
For the entire first half of the opening match commentators John Strong and Stu Holden were on a roughly two second delay.
FOX has had audio issues in the past, but thankfully this time at least the audio was behind rather than two seconds ahead. There’s nothing worse than the commentators spoiling what you’re about to see.
Here were some examples of what the audio delay looked like in the highlights during the first half.
FOX audio delay
What a chance here for Argentina! Maxime Crépeau with the denial! pic.twitter.com/8SN3tToYCJ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 21, 2024
Messi's pass sets up another chance for Argentina! pic.twitter.com/4kxE15fq0b
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 21, 2024
Fans voiced their displeasure with FOX on social media.
Euros: We will all play audacious, atmospheric banging football.
Copa: we will play sloppy crap on a concrete carpet, with commentary on time lag, by Prison Rules.CAN'T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF EITHER VERSION. WE ARE BLESSED
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 21, 2024
FS1 audio out of sync for a major international tournament. Love FOX owning the rights to all these games. It fills my heart with warmth.
— Rob Usry (@RobUsry) June 21, 2024
Why does Fox have so many issues with audio not syncing up to video during soccer broadcasts? I feel like this has been going on for years.
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin9) June 21, 2024
Credit does need to go to whoever fixed the issue at halftime as the second 45 minutes went forward with no issues.
The defending world champions didn’t have the smoothest start to their Copa América campaign with uncharacteristic misses from Lionel Messi and several big chances wasted.
Argentina won’t care though as it’s best to get the mistakes out of their system now. After failing to find the net in the first half the South American giants struck in the 49th minute through Julian Alvarez.
JULIÁN ÁLVAREZ PUTS ARGENTINA ON TOP
It was only a matter of time for Argentina pic.twitter.com/l2MIJc9z8X— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 21, 2024
The floodgates should’ve opened after that however several chances went begging for the favorites.
HOW DID MESSI NOT SCORE?! pic.twitter.com/QrBZTKQXQD
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 21, 2024
MESSI MISSES AGAIN
That's two near misses for Messi in this one pic.twitter.com/vkuAGI1TGe— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 21, 2024
Crépeau with another huge SAVE! pic.twitter.com/mdAggTSiH2
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 21, 2024
Canada had their chances to get on the board too but failed to take advantage of their looks at Argentina’s goal.
Messi assisted Argentina’s final goal for his 18th Copa América assist. He leads the tournament in all-time assists. He slipped a perfect ball through to Lautaro Martinez who finished coolly to put the game to bed.
ARGENTINA ADDS ANOTHER
Messi finds Lautaro Martínez who sends it home to make it 2-0 pic.twitter.com/5waxvBq0t0— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 21, 2024