Lautaro Martínez scored an extra-time winner as Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 to win a record 16th Copa América title at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.
The build-up to the game had been marred by security and crowd issues, forcing a 82-minute delay, but after a. lengthy stalemate, the final was decided by a quality finish from Martínez – his fifth goal of the tournament.
The win was the third straight major tournament title for Argentina following their 2021 Copa América victory and their triumph in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
There were tears before the celebrations though with Albiceleste 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 Ángel Di María in his final game for the national team.
For Colombia, whose only title came in the 2001 Copa América, it was a disappointing night when little seemed to work for Néstor 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 finally 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 María 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 Martínez 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 skipper needing treatment.
Messi, who now plays his club football in Miami, then curled a free-kick in from the left flank but Nicolás Tagliafico's header was just off target.
It had been a mixed first half and it didn't improve much at the break, when Colombian singer Shakira provided the entertainment with a half-time show.
Argentina failed to deal with a James Rodríguez corner and the ball looped to Davinson Sánchez but he was unable to keep down his header which floated over the bar.
There was finally some of the expected quality when Di María 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 Nicolás Gonzalez in the 66th minute.
It was too much for Messi, in what may have been his last major tournament. 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 González 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 Martínez who confidently fired home the winner.
Glory as in Argentina's sight and they managed to hold out until the end, securing a third major crown for this incredible national side.
2024 USA Copa America – Final
Argentina - Colombia 1 - 0 in extra time (0-0)
Stadium: Hardo Rock Stadium (Miami)
Referee: Raphael Claus (BRA)
Goals: Argentina – Lautaro Martinez (112)
Yellow cards: Argentina – Alexis Mac Allister (61), Giovani Lo Celso (117); Colombia – John Cordoba (27), Miguel Borja (114)
Line-ups:
Argentina: Emiliano Martínez - Gonzalo Montiel (Nahuel Molina, 71), Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico - Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández (Leandro Paredes, 96), Alexis Mac Allister (Giovani Lo Celso, 96), Ángel Di María (Nicolás Otamendi, 116) - Lionel Messi (Nicolás González, 66) and Julián Álvarez (Lautaro Martínez, 96). Coach: Lionel Scaloni.
Colombia: Camilo Vargas - Santiago Arias, Dávinson Sánchez, Carlos Cuesta, Johan Mojica - Richard Ríos (Kevin Castaño, 88), Jefferson Lerma (Mateus Uribe, 106), Jhon Arias (Jorge Carrasca, 106) - James Rodríguez (JuanFer Quintero, 91) - Jhon Córdoba (Rafael Santos Borré, 88) and Luis Díaz (Miguel Borja, 106). Coach: Néstor Lorenzo.
– TIMES/AFP
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