Copa America '24 final: Messi & team beat Columbia; lifts record 16th title
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Miami Gardens: Though fans got a stab in the heart when Lionel Messi left the field, sustaining a leg injury, Argentina toppled Columbia 1-0 in the final clash of Copa America 2024 here. Argentina, who were reigning champions of the tournament as well as the FIFA World Cup, scored the winning goal via Lautaro Martínez during the extra time to raise the record 16th Copa America title, the Associated Press reported.
Columbia conceded a defeat despite having most of the possession
Argentina was sharing the most-titles record with Uruguay till this year's edition and overtook them with this title.
Messi appeared to sustain a non-contact injury while running and falling in the 64th minute and covered his face with his hands when he sat on the bench. Martínez later ran to that bench to hug his captain after the goal that propelled Argentina to its record 16th Copa title on Sunday night.
The full-time whistle sounds and Argentina are champions of South America! 🇦🇷🏆
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) July 15, 2024
It’s absolute scenes in Miami that follow.#CA2024 #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/iNqClrZHHP
In a match that started 1 hour, 20 minutes late because of crowd trouble at Hard Rock Stadium, Argentina won its third straight major title following the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup and matched Spain, which won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships around the 2010 World Cup.
Argentina also stopped Colombia's 28-game unbeaten streak dating to a February 2022 loss to the Albiceleste.
Martínez entered in the 97th minute and scored from Giovani Lo Celso's perfect through pass. Just inside the penalty area, Martínez sent a right-foot shot through the upraised arms of sliding goalkeeper Camilo Vargas for his 29th international goal, his tournament-high fifth.
Lautaro Martinez, who scored five goals in the tournament, was awarded the Golden Boot, while Colombian captain James Rodriguez was honoured as the tournament player. Meanwhile, Argentinan Emiliano Martinez was selected as the best goalkeeper.