Argentina defeated Colombia to win a record 16th Copa America, although the match was overshadowed by an 80-minute kick-off delay due to disturbances outside the Miami stadium.
Lautaro Martinez secured the win in the second half of extra time with a goal assisted by Giovani Lo Celso.
Captain Lionel Messi was emotional as he had to leave the game midway through the second half due to an injury sustained while chasing the ball. However, he was celebrating Argentina’s third consecutive major tournament victory at the final whistle.
The kick-off was postponed because ticketless fans attempted to enter the Hard Rock Stadium, causing long delays for fans in the Miami heat. Clashes between fans, police officers, and security resulted in several arrests and some supporters requiring medical treatment.
Additionally, the half-time break extended to 25 minutes due to a pitch-side concert by Colombian pop star Shakira, a move criticized by Colombia’s coach, Nestor Lorenzo, beforehand.
The match had few clear chances, with Colombia’s Jhon Cordoba hitting the woodwork in the first half. Argentina thought they had taken the lead 15 minutes before the end, but Nicolas Tagliafico’s goal was disallowed for offside.
Martinez emerged as the hero, securing the victory and winning the Golden Boot with five goals.
What now for Messi after Copa America glory?
Lionel Messi had never won a senior international tournament until the age of 34. Now, he has secured three major titles in three years: the 2021@CopaAmerica, the 2022 World Cup, and now another Copa America.
The final was held at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, located just over 20 miles from Fort Lauderdale, where Messi’s club, Inter Miami, plays.
At 37, Messi had mentioned before the tournament that he had yet to decide whether he would continue playing for Argentina until the next World Cup, which will be hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
While his prowess appears to be diminishing, with only one goal scored in the semi-final win over Canada and a missed penalty in the quarter-final shootout against Ecuador, his influence remains significant. In the final, Messi was injured by a tackle in the first half and hobbled off in the second, sitting on the bench with an ice pack on his ankle.
Is this the final major tournament appearance of Messi’s legendary career? Only time will tell.
For Angel di Maria, however, this was certainly his last international appearance. The 145-times capped player had already announced his retirement from the international stage following this tournament.