Argentina beat Colombia to win record 16th Copa America title
Miami Gardens: Argentina clinched their second consecutive Copa America championship with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Colombia on Sunday night, sealed by Lautaro Martínez's dramatic 112th-minute goal.
The match was marred by delays, starting over an hour late due to crowd trouble outside Miami's Hard Rock Stadium. Despite these challenges, Argentina claimed their record 16th Copa title and halted Colombia's impressive 28-game unbeaten streak.
The game's defining moment came in extra time when Martínez, who entered the match in the 97th minute, capitalised on Giovani Lo Celso's precise pass. Martínez found space inside the penalty area and slotted a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, scoring his tournament-high fifth goal and sparking jubilation among the Argentine squad.
However, Argentina's victory was tinged with concern as Lionel Messi, their talismanic captain, suffered a second-half leg injury that forced him off the field in tears. Messi appeared to sustain the injury without contact, visibly emotional on the bench as he realised his tournament was over. Despite earlier ankle trouble, Messi had contributed significantly throughout the tournament, scoring one goal.
The match itself was fiercely contested, with Colombia testing Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez on several occasions in the first half. Argentina gradually gained momentum in the second half, with Nicolás Tagliafico's goal disallowed for offside and Nicolás González denied by Vargas in extra time.
Off the pitch, the event was overshadowed by security issues and fan disturbances, echoing recent incidents involving Uruguay players and Colombian fans. Videos showed fans breaching security perimeters, causing disruptions outside and inside the stadium.
The chaotic scenes delayed the match's start and drew attention away from the footballing spectacle. Despite the challenges, Argentina maintained their composure and resilience on the field, ultimately securing a historic victory in challenging circumstances.
The extended halftime, exacerbated by a wet pitch following a performance by Colombian singer Shakira, added to the unusual atmosphere of the final. Nevertheless, Argentina's triumph underscored their resilience and collective strength, cementing their status as a dominant force in South American football.
As celebrations ensued for Argentina, questions lingered about Messi's future in international football and the repercussions of the stadium chaos on future tournament planning. Argentina's triumph will be remembered not only for their on-field success but also for the tumultuous backdrop against which it was achieved. AP