Argentina emerged victorious in the Copa America final, defeating Colombia 1-0 in extra time at the Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. Lautaro Martinez scored the winning goal, his fifth in the tournament, in a match that was marred by security and crowd issues, resulting in an 82-minute delay.
This victory marks Argentina’s third consecutive major tournament title, following their 2021 Copa America win and their triumph in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, the win was bittersweet as Argentine captain Lionel Messi suffered an injury in the 66th minute and was unable to continue playing.
Colombia’s only Copa America title came in 2001, and despite their efforts, they were unable to secure a win on Sunday. The match was marked by a lack of flow in the early stages, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm.
The win was secured in extra time when Leandro Paredes won the ball in midfield, found Giovani Lo Celso, whose first-time pass was perfect for the on-running Martinez, who confidently fired home the winner.
The victory was met with tears of joy from the Argentine players, while Messi, who may have played his last major tournament, was overcome with emotion on the bench. The win cements Argentina’s position as one of the top teams in South American football.
