A aim deep into extra-time by Lautaro Martinez gave Argentina a 1-0 win over Colombia and a record-breaking sixteenth Copa America title.
Argentina misplaced a tearful Lionel Messi to damage halfway via the second half of a recreation delayed by greater than an hour by crowd points, however Martinez got here off the bench within the further half-hour to make sure his captain would raise a 3rd successive main trophy.
The win in Miami adopted 2021 Copa America success and the World Cup triumph in 2022.
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Messi along with his winner’s medal
The match kicked off an hour and 20 minutes late after safety closed gates on the Arduous Rock Stadium, one of many websites for the 2026 World Cup, after followers tried to enter the stadium with out tickets.
When it did get beneath approach, Manchester Metropolis’s Julian Alvarez had an early probability for the defending champions however Colombia made the brighter begin with Liverpool’s Luis Diaz forcing an early save from Camilo Vargas whereas Jhon Cordoba struck a put up.
Alvarez inadvertently blocked an effort from Messi, who went down with what seemed like an ankle damage earlier than the break however was in a position to swing in a free-kick which Nicolas Tagliafico headed over.
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Messi needed to be withdrawn within the second half as a consequence of damage
The second half noticed each groups have spells on the entrance foot, however neither facet had been in a position to seize management – Angel Di Maria, in his final worldwide look, forcing a few saves from Vargas.
Messi went down once more simply after the hour and this time was unable to proceed, limping off to look at on in tears from the bench.
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Lionel Messi was visibly emotional after being pressured off in Copa America ultimate
Gonzalez had the very best probability of the primary interval of extra-time, however might solely shoot straight at Vargas following Rodrigo De Paul’s cut-back.
Lisandro Martinez produced a wonderful block on Miguel Borja as time ran out and inside moments Argentina had been forward.
De Paul received the ball close to midway, discovering Lautaro Martinez who exchanged passes with fellow substitute Giovani Lo Celso and the match’s high scorer made no mistake to finish Colombia’s run of 28 unbeaten video games.
Overcrowding mars ultimate
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Colombia followers wait to enter the stadium after kick-off was delayed for over an hour
South American soccer’s governing physique CONMEBOL pushed the beginning time of the match again thrice after movies on social media confirmed safety struggling with followers as they ran throughout the concourses and tried to breach the gates of the Arduous Rock Stadium.
Based on experiences, a number of individuals had been ejected from the stadium by safety workers on the venue, which can host matches in the course of the 2026 World Cup.
“It was exhausting as a result of many had their households exterior, they did not know what was happening,” Argentina and Tottenham defender Cristian Romero informed reporters. “It did not appear to be a ultimate, there was quite a lot of commotion and quite a lot of concern.”
A Arduous Rock Stadium assertion, launched on Monday, learn: “All through the afternoon and night, there have been quite a few makes an attempt by unruly followers with out tickets to overpower safety and legislation enforcement personnel at entry factors to the stadium, placing themselves, different followers and safety and stadium workers at excessive danger.
“Varied stadium gates had been closed and re-opened strategically in an try to permit ticketed visitors to enter safely and in a managed method. Followers continued to interact in unlawful conduct – preventing law enforcement officials, breaking down partitions and barricades and vandalising the stadium, inflicting vital harm to the property.
“When it turned obvious that it might not be secure to start out the match at 8pm, a joint choice was made to postpone. Shortly after 8pm, stadium officers, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF and legislation enforcement officers communicated and determined to open stadium gates for a brief time frame to all followers to stop stampedes and critical damage on the perimeter. The gates had been then closed as soon as the specter of followers being crushed was alleviated. At the moment, the venue was at capability and gates weren’t re-opened.”
Sky Sports activities Information has contacted FIFA and CONMEBOL for additional remark.
