July 14, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) and Colombia midfielder Jhon Arias (11) battle for possession of the ball during the first half of the Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports With star teammate Lionel Messi out with an apparent right ankle injury, substitute Lautaro Martinez led Argentina to a record 16th Copa America title with his extra-time goal in a 1-0 win over Colombia in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday night.
Martinez, who came on in the seventh minute of added time, capitalised on a brilliant through ball from Giovani Lo Celso to score his tournament-best fifth goal in the 112th minute.
2022 World Cup champions Argentina defended their 2021 Copa America crown while breaking a tie with Uruguay for the most titles in the tournament.
Colombia has won only one title in 2001, as the host country. The Colombians ended their 28-game unbeaten streak on Sunday (22-0-6).
The match kickoff was delayed 82 minutes from its scheduled 8:00 p.m. ET due to fans without tickets breaking into the stadium gates, forcing the stadium to be locked down. Later, due to the influx of people trying to enter, some gates were opened to allow anyone, with or without tickets, to enter.
The match ended at 00:09
Messi, 37, left the pitch in the 66th minute. He fell without being hurt, but after receiving medical attention he left the pitch with his right boot in his hand and was shown on the bench crying.
The injury occurred in the 35th minute after a violent tackle about a meter from the end line by Colombian Santiago Arias, which appeared to hit Messi in the leg before rolling onto his right ankle. Messi remained on the ground for a few minutes before returning to the field.
A sell-out crowd of more than 65,000 saw Colombia control the first half but come away empty-handed.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was forced to make four saves in the first half and saw a shot from Jhon Cordoba hit the outside of the left post in the seventh minute.
However, Colombia did not have another shot on target for the rest of the match, finishing with four shots to Argentina’s six.
Midfielder Angel Di Maria, 36, started his final game for Argentina, ending his 17-year international career with 145 appearances, equal third in the club’s history.
Di Maria was replaced in the 117th minute.
–Field level media
