COPA AMERICA: ARGENTINA WINS AFTER EXTRA TIME AGAINST COLOMBIA AND RETAINS ITS TROPHY

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Thanks to a goal from Lautaro Martinez in the 112th minute, Argentina managed to retain their title in the Copa America final on Monday against Colombia (1-0). After their world title in 2022, Lionel Scaloni’s Albiceleste is (once again) on top of the South American continent.

It took extra time to see a winner in this Copa America 2024 final between Argentina and Colombia. Coming into play in the 97th minute in place of Julia Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez took 15 minutes to find the back of the net (1-0, 112th), sending the Albiceleste and its supporters – very numerous in the stands of the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami – to seventh heaven.

Lautaro Martinez hero of the Albiceleste

Put into orbit in depth on a delicious pass from the former Parisian Giovani Lo Celso, the Inter player did not miss the offering and went to crucify Camilo Vargas with a perfect right-footed cross shot. A goal – his 5th in the competition – synonymous with the title for Lionel Scaloni and his players , who cemented in the last minutes to hold this meager but precious advantage.

After their success in 2021 and 2022 at the World Cup, Argentina won another major trophy – their record 16th Copa America – at the end of an emotional evening.

Incidents before the final, Messi leaves in tears, Di Maria’s last

Before kick-off, incidents took place at the entrance to the stadium , even pushing back the start time of the match. The police used force and arrested several individuals who were trying to enter the stadium, apparently without tickets. The doors remained closed for several hours, with emergency workers intervening for several cases of illness due to the heat (around 34 degrees) and the compactness of the crowd.

Then, on the pitch this time, Lionel Messi’s exit due to injury in the 66th minute of play worried the Argentinian supporters to the highest degree. Injured in the right thigh, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, captain of his national team, could not contain his tears on the bench, turning into an assistant coach to support his teammates.

Shortly after Martinez’s opener, it was Angel Di Maria who had his emotional moment in his final match with the Albiceleste, replaced in the 117th minute by Nicolas Otamendi. The final whistle, a few seconds later, helped ease the pressure a little. This time, with tears of joy on the Argentinian faces.