Argentina🇦🇷 has won the 2024 Copa América championship⚽⚽, beating Colombia🇨🇴 1-0 thanks to an extra-time goal in the 112th minute of a scoreless match.
Lautaro Martinez, the competition’s leading scorer with five goals, blasted a shot past Colombia goalie Camilo Vargas on a breakaway following a turnover. Argentina was the favorite of the tournament and never trailed during the competition.
However, this victory was not without its challenges. Argentina was forced to secure the title without their star player, Lionel Messi, who was substituted in the 66th minute due to an ankle injury.
Messi appeared to have the non-contact injury while running and falling in the 64th minute. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner covered his face with his hands as he sat on the bench and sobbed. Martínez ran to that bench to hug his 37-year-old captain after the goal propelling Argentina to its record 16th Copa title.
A substantial delay marred the game, and fans stormed the stadium, eager to see the match.
Officers managed to push the crowd behind the gates and lock down the entrance, although plenty of fans with tickets had already made it to their seats before then. The match was played in Hard Rock Stadium, where the 2026 World Cup will be held.
Colombia started energetically and had several chances for the opening goal, testing Argentina’s goalie Emiliano Martínez.
Messi, the greatest soccer player of all time, joined Inter Miami in 2023 after two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain and more than 20 at Barcelona.
The result broke Colombia’s 28-game international win streak that dates back to February 2022, and it was also a loss to Argentina.
Messi vs Colombia 2016.
— TK (@TeaKupps) May 8, 2023
Before the game Argentina were 6th in the Qualifiers and their World Cup Qualification was in massive jeopardy, overall one of My fav Messi performances pic.twitter.com/GkYwFZGYEi
Argentina won its third straight major title following the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup and matched Spain, which won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships around the 2010 World Cup. Argentina also stopped Colombia’s 28-game unbeaten streak dating to a 1-0 loss to Albiceleste in a February 2022 World Cup qualifier, also on a Martínez goal.
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