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LAUTARO MARTINEZ SCORED an extra-time winner as Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 to win a record 16th Copa America title at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.
A game of few chances, which had been marred by security and crowd issues, forcing a 82-minute delay, was decided by a quality finish from substitute Martinez — who finished the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.
The win was the third straight major tournament title for Argentina following their 2021 Copa victory and their triumph in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
There were tears before the celebrations though with Argentina captain Lionel Messi going off injured in the 66th minute watching the rest of the game distraught on the bench, while there was an emotional farewell for Angel Di Maria in his final game for the national team.
For Colombia, whose only title came in the 2001 Copa America and who were unbeaten in 28 games, it was a disappointing night when little seemed to work for Nestor Lorenzo’s team.
There was chaos around entry to the stadium for fans, with organisers blaming supporters for trying to enter without tickets while fans blamed the lack of an efficient entry system to the venue.
The scenes were alarming with some fans needing medical attention for heat exhaustion but after the decision to suddenly throw open the gates, with no checks on those entering, the situation was largely resolved and the game went ahead.
Colombia’s Jhon Corboba hit the bottom of the post with a speculative shot in the seventh minute but neither side were able to find their flow in the early stages.
Di Maria found Messi in the 20th minute with a low ball into the box and Messi’s left-foot shot was saved by Colombia keeper Camilo Vargas.
Colombia had looked the more lively in the opening period and they went close in the 33rd minute when Jefferson Lerma tried his luck from 25 yards out and his low drive forced Emiliano Martinez into a diving save.
There was concern for Messi in the 36th minute when he dribbled to the byline but was halted by a sliding challenge from Santiago Arias which was ruled fair left the Argentine captain needing treatment.
Messi, who now plays his club football in Miami, then curled a free-kick in from the left flank but Nicolas Tagliafico’s header was just off target.
It had been a disappointing first half and it didn’t improve much after the break, when the fans had at least received some entertainment from Colombian singer Shakira.
Argentina failed to deal with a James Rodriguez corner and the ball looped to Davinson Sanchez but he was unable to keep down his header which floated over the bar.
There was finally some of the expected quality when Di Maria produced one of his trademark runs in from the left and forced Vargas into action, the Colombia keeper turning the ball wide of the post.
Then came a major blow for Argentine hopes when Messi went down, without contact, as he ran in midfield, and clearly in pain he went off to be replaced by Nicolas Gonzalez in the 66th minute.
It was too much for Messi, in what may have been his last major tournament, as he sat in tears on the bench, unable to hold back his emotions.
The Argentine fans thought they had grabbed a winner in the 75th minute when Tagliafico found Gonzalez in the box, who beat Vargas with a low drive but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Little changed in extra-time with a half-chance from Miguel Borja after a flick from Jorge Carrascal but the game was settled by a worthy winner.
Leandro Paredes won the ball in midfield for Argentina with a perfectly timed tackle, found Giovani Lo Celso whose first time pass was perfect for the on-running Martinez who confidently fired home the winner.
Di Maria, who had left the field for the last time in an Argentina shirt to huge applause, said the team’s ‘Triple Crown’ achievement needed to be appreciated.
“It seems easy but it is very difficult. I know this because I experienced the other side for 10, 11 years as well. It’s not easy to get to the finals and win them,” he said.
Colombia’s Argentine coach Lorenzo said his team had struggled physically.
“The boys felt the effort of the whole tournament a little, they played 6 games in 21 days,” he said noting that several players had struggled with cramp in the latter stages.
Written by AFP and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.
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Some international record Messi has now, U20 world cup winner…Olympic Gold winner…World cup winner…2 copa America’s…player of the Tournament in WC final & CA final. All time most capped and leading goal scorer. WOW!
And yet people still out Ronaldo ahead of him, who is an amazing player aswell, an all time great but nah, Messi is the Man.
@damien leen: throw in I think 4 other finals where he was runner up, 1 WC final and 3 CA finals…scary!
Had England been involved, the comments section would be overflowing with people banging on about English supporters, typical English hooligans, degenerates, low-lifes etc. Next World Cup will be a disaster anyway, three massive countries size wisehosting it, America & Canada have no interest in football, gung-ho trigger happy American cops who have no idea how to manage football fans.
@Niall Gilmartin: you are a bitter person.
@Niall Gilmartin: is your rant over now
@Niall Gilmartin: I’m not sure where you’re getting your ‘ no interest in soccer’ from. USA 94 still holds the record for largest cumilitatve attendance for a world Cup and largest average attendance per match for a world Cup.. I can’t recall any issues during the tournament with police failing to manage it properly. In fact it is still regarded as one of the best organised and policed WCs ever. Can’t speak for Canada .. time will tell ..
@Brian: things were a little different in 94 to be fair.
@Dave Lawlor: What things exactly ? The threat of hooliganism was greater then than it is now .. if thats what you’re referring to ?
@Niall Gilmartin: Emmmmm…USA 94 went off fairly well & I don’t think the cops shot a single person, all good!
@Niall Gilmartin: what you’ve described is completely made up in your head.
@Niall Gilmartin: what are you on about? thats a mental post
@John Condon: 100%
@Brian:
No issues because England didn’t qualify probably.
@Paul O Connor: No doubt that helped for sure.. but tbf they’re not the only ones at it..
@Paul O Connor: No doubt that certainly helped ! But tbf, they’re not the only ones at it. The German Police listed the most dangerous fans/firms at Euro 24 to be those from Serbia, England, Poland, Croatia, Romania, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic.
In regards to all the trouble beforehand similar to what happened at Wembley at the last Euros, it just shows how much values and decorum has been evaporating in recent years.
Good game the part I seen when z woke up
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