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A goal deep into extra-time by Lautaro Martinez gave Argentina a 1-0 win over Colombia and a record-breaking 16th Copa America title.
Argentina lost a tearful Lionel Messi to injury midway through the second half of a game delayed by more than an hour by crowd issues, but Martinez came off the bench in the extra half-hour to ensure his captain would lift a third successive major trophy.
The win in Miami followed 2021 Copa America success and the World Cup triumph in 2022.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi pictured with his winner’s medal
The match kicked off an hour and 20 minutes late after security closed gates at the Hard Rock Stadium, one of the sites for the 2026 World Cup, after fans attempted to enter the stadium without tickets.
When it did get underway, Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez had an early chance for the defending champions but Colombia made the brighter start with Liverpool’s Luis Diaz forcing an early save from Camilo Vargas while Jhon Cordoba struck a post.
Alvarez inadvertently blocked an effort from Messi, who went down with what looked like an ankle injury before the break but was able to swing in a free-kick which Nicolas Tagliafico headed over.
The second half saw both teams have spells on the front foot, but neither side were able to seize control – Angel di Maria, in his last international appearance, forcing a couple of saves from Vargas.
Lionel Messi has to be withdrawn in the second half due to injury
Messi went down again just after the hour and this time was unable to continue, limping off to watch on in tears from the bench.
Gonzalez had the best chance of the first period of extra time, but could only shoot straight at Vargas following Rodrigo De Paul’s cut-back.
Lisandro Martinez produced an excellent block on Miguel Borja as time ran out and within moments Argentina were ahead.
De Paul won the ball near halfway, finding Lautaro Martinez who exchanged passes with fellow substitute Giovani Lo Celso and the tournament’s top scorer made no mistake to end Colombia’s run of 28 unbeaten games.
Overcrowding mars final
Columbia fans wait to enter the stadium after kick off was delayed for over an hour
South American football’s governing body CONMEBOL pushed the start time of the match back three times after videos on social media showed security scuffling with fans as they ran across the concourses and attempted to breach the gates of the Hard Rock Stadium.
According to reports, several people were 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 and Tottenham defender Cristian Romero reporters. “It didn’t seem like a final, there was a lot of commotion and a lot of concern.”
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