Argentina win record 16th Copa America title

Martinez nets extra-time winner against Colombia

FE Team | Published: July 15, 2024 23:28:03

MIAMI GARDENS, Florida, July 15 (Agencies): Argentina won a record 16th Copa America title by beating Colombia 1-0 thanks to an extra-time goal from Lautaro Martinez on Monday (as per BST) after the final was delayed for over an hour due to thousands of ticketless fans trying to get into stadium.
Martinez, who came off the bench in extra time, latched onto a precise through ball from Giovani Lo Celso before lifting his effort over advancing Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas in the 112th minute to spark wild celebrations at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.
Argentina's latest title comes on the back of their triumphs at the 2022 World Cup and 2021 Copa America, and gives eight-times Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi the perfect sendoff in what is likely his last international tournament.
The victory means Argentina become the first South American team to win three straight major tournament titles.
The Albiceleste followed up their 2021 Copa America title with the World Cup triumph a year later and successfully defended their Copa title in the USA.
Spain are the only other team in international football to have won a World Cup in between two straight continental titles when they clinched Euro wins in 2008 and 2012 either side of the 2010 World Cup.
The win, which saw Argentina move ahead of Uruguay after the pair had been tied on 15 Copa titles, marked Angel di Maria's final international match.
Defender Nicolas Otamendi, 36, is also set to end his international career.
Argentina winger Angel Di Maria said Copa America triumph over Colombia was the perfect dream ending to his career with the national team.
"The truth is, this was written, it was this way," 36-year-old Di Maria said. "I dreamed it, I dreamed that I would arrive to the final and win it and retire in this way.
"I have so many beautiful feelings and I am eternally grateful to this generation and today I am leaving in this way with a title."
South American football's governing body CONMEBOL pushed the start time of the match back three times after video on social media showed security scuffling with fans as they ran across the concourses and attempted to breach the gates of the stadium.
A Reuters witness saw several people being ejected from the stadium by security staff at the venue, which will host matches during the 2026 World Cup.
The tournament had already been marred by a number of organisational issues.
Uruguay's players were involved in clashes with Colombian fans earlier this week, while an assistant referee had to be hospitalised after collapsing in hot and humid conditions while officiating a group stage match.
Colombia started the match by pressing high up the pitch and Jhon Cordoba hit the post in the seventh minute before Jefferson Lerma and Richard Rios had long-range efforts saved by Emiliano Martinez.
Messi appeared to hurt his ankle in the 36th minute after a collision with Santiago Arias and while he got back to his feet after receiving treatment he was clearly hampered for the remainder of the half.
Colombia went on the offensive again in the second half with Arias and Davinson Sanchez coming close to scoring.
Argentina soaked up the pressure well but were dealt a blow in the 66th minute when Messi limped off due to the ankle injury.
They continued to grow into the contest and had a goal disallowed for offside but Colombia held on as the match went to extra time.
The defending champions continued to push forward in extra time, testing Vargas with a shot from Nico Gonzalez before Martinez, the tournament's leading scorer, finally found the breakthrough.
The defeat ended a Colombian record 28-match unbeaten streak for Nestor Lorenzo's side, whose last loss also came against 'La Albiceleste' in February 2022.
Meanwhile, Messi won his 45th senior trophy after winning the 2024 Copa America title with Argentina, surpassing Dani Alves as the player with the most number of trophies in football history.
It was in 2005 that Messi first tasted silverware after winning the U-20 FIFA World Cup as well as the 2004-05 La Liga title with Barcelona.
Since then, the Argentinian forward has clinched trophies both in club and national colours, which include multiple Copa Americas, Champions Leagues, and a prestigious FIFA World Cup title.