• Argentina won Copa America 2024.
• Martinez scored the winning goal.
• Di Maria played his last match for Argentina.

In a dramatic extra-time victory, Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive goal, securing Argentina’s triumph over Colombia with a score of 1-0, marking their 16th Copa America championship at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.

This win represents the third successive triumph in major tournaments for Lionel Messi’s squad, following their Copa America win in 2021 and their World Cup victory in 2022 in Qatar.

The match, which saw limited opportunities and was disrupted by security and audience complications leading to an 82-minute postponement, was ultimately determined by Martinez’s skillful goal. Martinez, coming off the bench, ended the tournament as the leading scorer with five goals.

However, the victory was bittersweet as Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, was injured and had to leave the field in the 66th minute, visibly upset as he watched from the sidelines. Additionally, it was a poignant moment for Angel Di Maria, who played his last match for the national team.

For Colombia, a team that hadn’t been defeated in 28 matches and whose sole Copa America win was in 2001, the evening ended in disappointment with little going right for Nestor Lorenzo’s squad.

Fan entry into the stadium was chaotic, with organizers blaming fans for attempting to enter without valid tickets, and fans criticizing the inefficient entry process. The distressing scenes included fans requiring medical aid due to heat exhaustion, but the situation was eventually managed by opening the gates without checks, allowing the game to proceed.

Early in the match, Colombia’s Jhon Corboba struck the post’s base with a shot in the seventh minute, but both teams struggled to establish a rhythm. In the 20th minute, Di Maria’s pass found Messi, whose left-footed attempt was stopped by Colombia’s goalkeeper Camilo Vargas. Colombia appeared more dynamic initially, nearly scoring in the 33rd minute when Jefferson Lerma’s long-range effort prompted a save from Emiliano Martinez.

Messi tears

Apprehension arose in the 36th minute for Messi as he made a run to the byline and was stopped by Santiago Arias’s sliding tackle, which was deemed fair, leaving Messi requiring medical attention.

Messi, currently playing club football in Miami, delivered a free-kick from the left side, but Nicolas Tagliafico’s header narrowly missed the mark.

The first half was underwhelming, and the situation didn’t see much improvement post-interval, although Colombian singer Shakira did provide some halftime entertainment for the fans.

Argentina couldn’t effectively clear a corner from James Rodriguez, resulting in the ball reaching Davinson Sanchez, whose header sailed over the crossbar.

A moment of anticipated brilliance occurred when Di Maria made a signature dash from the left, prompting a save from Colombia’s goalkeeper Vargas, who deflected the ball past the post.

A significant setback for Argentina ensued when Messi fell to the ground in the midfield without any contact, evidently in agony. He was substituted by Nicolas Gonzalez in the 66th minute.

The emotional toll was evident on Messi, potentially in his final major tournament, as he was seen shedding tears on the bench.

Argentinian supporters believed they had secured the win in the 75th minute when Tagliafico passed to Gonzalez, who scored with a low shot, but the goal was disallowed due to offside.

Extra-time brought little change, with Miguel Borja creating a semi-opportunity after a touch from Jorge Carrascal, but the match was ultimately decided by a commendable goal.

Leandro Paredes reclaimed possession in the midfield with an impeccable tackle, passed to Giovani Lo Celso, whose immediate pass found Martinez. Martinez then confidently struck the decisive goal.

Di Maria, receiving a standing ovation as he exited the field for the last time in an Argentina jersey, emphasized the significance of the team’s ‘Triple Crown’ victory.

“It seems easy but it is very difficult. I know this because I experienced the other side for 10, 11 years as well. It´s not easy to get to the finals and win them,” he reflected.

Colombia’s Argentine coach Lorenzo commented on his team’s physical challenges.

“The boys felt the effort of the whole tournament a little, they played 6 games in 21 days,” he observed, noting that cramps had affected several players in the final stages.

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