ARGENTINA endured chaotic organisation, a lengthy delay and an injury to their iconic captain Lionel Messi to beat Colombia 1-0 overnight in the final of the 2024 Copa America in Miami, United States of America.
The world champions have now won a record 16th Copa America title and three major trophies in a row following their 2021 continental triumph and the Qatar 2022 World Cup success.
Substitute Lautaro Martinez scored the game’s only goal in extra-time after the final was delayed for over an hour due to thousands of ticketless fans trying to get into the stadium.
Inter Milan striker Martinez, who came off the bench in extra-time, latched onto a through ball from fellow substitute Giovani Lo Celso before lifting the ball over advancing Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas in the 112th minute to spark wild celebrations at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.
Argentina’s latest title gives eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, 37, the perfect send-off in what could be his last international tournament, that is if he does not decide to feature in the 2026 World Cup.
The win, which saw Argentina move ahead of Uruguay after the pair had been tied on 15 Copa titles, marked Angel di Maria’s final international match.
Defender Nicolas Otamendi, 36, is also set to end his international career.
South American football’s governing body CONMEBOL pushed the kick-off of the match back three times after video on social media showed security scuffling with fans as they ran across the concourses and attempted to breach the gates of the stadium, Reuters reported.
A witness saw several people being ejected from the stadium by security staff at the venue, which will host matches during the 2026 World Cup.
“It was hard because many had their families outside, they didn’t know what was going on,” Argentina’s Cristian Romero told TyC Sports. “It didn’t seem like a final, there was a lot of commotion and a lot of concern.”
The tournament had already been marred by a number of organisational issues, one of which had led to a scuffle involving Uruguay players after their defeat to Colombia in the semi-final.
Messi, who has now won a record 46 major career trophies, was left crying during the match as he had to be substituted off in the 66th minute with severe swelling on his ankle.
The former Barcelona forward was however beaming with a smile at the final whistle as he limped to lift the trophy, inviting Di Maria and Otamendi to join him.
