Argentina Clinches Copa America Title in Extra Time
Scoreline: Argentina 1-0 Colombia
Match Details:
- Goal: Lautaro Martínez (112′)
- Assist: Giovani Lo Celso
- Key Moment: Lionel Messi’s injury forced him off in the second half, but Argentina prevailed with Martínez’s late strike.
- Controversy: Match delayed 1 hour, 22 minutes due to crowd issues; extended halftime due to Shakira’s performance.
- Emotional Scene: Messi, despite injury, celebrated with teammates as Argentina claimed their 16th Copa America title.
Argentina clinched their second consecutive Copa America title in dramatic fashion, overcoming Colombia 1-0 in a tense final marred by Lionel Messi’s injury exit.
En la cima 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/1IszSORQCO
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ (@CopaAmerica) July 15, 2024
The match, delayed by crowd control issues, saw Messi sidelined due to a leg injury early in the second half, reducing Argentina’s attacking potency. However, it was Lautaro Martínez who emerged as the hero in extra time, slotting home the winning goal in the 112th minute.
Despite Colombia’s resilience and several scoring chances, including severe cramping among their players due to high humidity, Argentina held firm. Martínez’s decisive strike, assisted by Giovani Lo Celso, sealed Argentina’s record 16th Copa America triumph amidst emotional scenes.
For Messi, who tearfully watched from the sidelines after sustaining a non-contact injury, it was a bittersweet moment. The Argentine captain, hailed as “the greatest player in history” by coach Lionel Scaloni, epitomized resilience and dedication, staying involved with his teammates despite his injury.
The final, played at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, was not without controversy, with delays and extended halftime due to unforeseen circumstances. Despite these challenges, Argentina maintained composure, with Emiliano Martínez crucial in goal, making critical saves to deny Colombia’s attacks.
In a post-match celebration filled with emotion and confetti, Messi, alongside veteran teammates Nicolas Otamendi and Angel Di María, lifted the trophy, marking the end of an era for Di María, who announced his retirement from the national team. The victory also halted Colombia’s 28-game unbeaten streak, affirming Argentina’s dominance in South American football.
As Argentina now looks ahead, their focus will turn to sustaining this success under Messi’s leadership, despite uncertainties surrounding his injury and future international appearances.
See More:
Copa America winners list – all Copa America winners history!
