Argentina triumphed over Colombia to claim their 16th Copa America title. The match, held at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, faced an 80-minute delay due to disturbances outside the venue.
Lautaro Martinez Secures Victory in Extra Time
Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive goal in the second half of extra time, assisted by Giovani Lo Celso. Argentina captain Lionel Messi, injured midway through the second half, celebrated his country’s third consecutive major tournament win at the final whistle.
Chaos Outside Hard Rock Stadium
The kick-off was delayed due to chaos outside the stadium, where ticketless fans attempted to gain entry. This led to clashes with police, several arrests, and some fans requiring medical treatment. The heat and long wait added to the chaos.
Shakira’s Half-Time Performance Criticized
A 25-minute half-time break featured a performance by Colombian pop star Shakira, which was criticized by Colombia’s coach Nestor Lorenzo.
Few Clear Chances in Hot Conditions
The game saw few clear opportunities, with Colombia’s Jhon Cordoba hitting the woodwork in the first half. Argentina thought they had scored with 15 minutes left, but Nicolas Tagliafico’s effort was ruled out for offside. Martinez’s goal later secured the win, earning him the Golden Boot with five goals.
Messi’s Future in Question After Another Triumph
Lionel Messi, now 37, has won three international titles in three years, including the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup. Despite this, his performance in this tournament was subdued, with only one goal in the semi-final against Canada. His injury in the final raises questions about his future in international football.
Angel Di Maria Ends International Career
Angel Di Maria played his final match for Argentina, ending his international career with 145 caps.
Pre-Match Troubles Highlight Security Concerns
The delays before the game added to concerns for future events at Hard Rock Stadium, a venue for the 2026 World Cup. Uruguay players had previously clashed with Colombia fans in the semi-finals, and families of players faced safety issues in Miami as well.
Colombia’s Long Wait for Copa America Glory Continues
Colombia, unbeaten in 28 games before this match, had chances to score, including Cordoba’s early shot hitting the post. However, their last Copa America victory remains the 2001 triumph in their home country.
Argentina’s victory over Colombia secured their 16th Copa America title, highlighting both the team’s resilience and the organizational challenges faced during the tournament. As Messi and Argentina celebrate, questions linger about the future for both Messi and Colombia’s long wait for another title.
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