Argentina secured their 16th Copa America title after a thrilling extra-time victory over Colombia in Miami. The final, potentially Lionel Messi’s last international match, was delayed due to crowd control issues outside Hard Rock Stadium, with thousands of ticketless fans attempting to breach security. Lautaro Martinez, the tournament’s top scorer, sealed the win with a skillful goal in the 112th minute, chipping the ball over the Colombian goalkeeper.
Martinez’s decisive goal, his fifth of the tournament, came from a precise pass by Giovani Lo Celso. The victory adds to Argentina’s recent successes, including the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 Copa America. It also potentially marks the final international appearances for veterans Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi, who have announced their retirements. For Messi, the win is a crowning achievement in what might be his last game for Argentina.
Messi, playing in his 39th Copa America match at 37, suffered an ankle injury but played on before being substituted. While he didn’t score, his leadership was crucial to Argentina’s campaign. The emotional scenes at the final whistle highlighted the significance of the victory for Messi and the team.
The pre-match chaos delayed kick-off by over an hour. Local authorities expressed concern over the security breach and promised a full review. The incident raised questions about stadium preparedness for major events, particularly with the venue scheduled to host 2026 World Cup matches.
Despite the delayed start, the atmosphere inside the near-capacity stadium, holding over 65,000 fans, was electric. The match was tense, with both teams creating chances before Martinez’s late winner.
The crowd control issues overshadowed the event, highlighting the challenges of managing large crowds at major sporting events. The incident involved fans attempting to scale fences and overwhelm security.
The jubilant celebrations in Argentina contrasted sharply with the pre-match disorder in Miami. Fans nationwide took to the streets to celebrate, reinforcing football’s importance in Argentinian culture.