Copa America final: Argentina defeats Colombia to secure their record 16th title
PTC News Desk: Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, USA, to win the 2024 Copa America, with to a goal by Lautaro Martinez in the 111th minute. With their 16th championship in South America's top international competition, Argentina has surpassed Uruguay to become the most successful side in the league's history. Together with their victory in the 2022 World Cup, this is Argentina's second consecutive Copa America triumph.
The game finished in a 0-0 draw because captain and icon Lionel Messi had to be removed because of a leg injury in the second half. As was the case for much of the regular time, both teams traded blows during the frequently chaotic thirty minutes of extra time.
Leandro Paredes won the ball in midfield, and Martinez of Inter Milan immediately stole it from Giovanni Lo Celso. Martinez scored what ultimately proved to be the game-winning goal, placing the shot directly over Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.
Crowd disturbances caused the match to start more than an hour later than scheduled. Fans without tickets poured through the gates, creating chaotic scenes and circumstances akin to stampedes across the stadium.
During much of the hectic first half of extra time, Argentina controlled the ball, but Colombia appeared far more dangerous. Messi's night in Miami came to an abrupt end when, in the 64th minute, he appeared to have injured his leg. The 37-year-old seemed to sustain a noncontact injury while sprinting across the field at full speed while Argentina, the defending champion, and Colombia were still tied at zero goals.
Messi was absent from Argentina's group stage match because he had been battling pain and an injury to his leg for the majority of the competition. On Sunday, he attempted one shot in the first half.
Messi dropped to the ground and looked straight toward the Argentina bench. He lay down for a few minutes until the trainers arrived. After receiving assistance to stand, he promptly removed his right shoe. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner flung his shoe to the ground in fury as he left the pitch, removing his captain's armband. Then, as the game entered extra time, Messi started crying and cried for a long while before returning to the action.
- With inputs from agencies
