Lautaro Martinez’s 112th-minute goal beat Colombia 1-0 as Lionel Messi overcame a second-half leg injury to win his second Copa America championship.
Miami Gardens, Fla. — Lionel Messi overcame a second leg injury to beat Colombia 1-0 on Sunday night as Argentina won its second Copa America championship. Ladaro Martinez scored in the 112th minute.
Messi was injured in a run and fall in the 64th minute and covered his face with his hands as he sat on the bench crying.
After the goal that propelled Argentina to its record 16th Copa title, Martinez ran to the bench and hugged his captain.
In a match that started 1 hour, 22 minutes late due to overcrowding at Hard Rock Stadium, Argentina won its third major title, following the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup, and joining Spain, who won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. 2010 World Cup.
Argentina also ended Colombia’s 28-match unbeaten streak that ended in February 2022 with a loss to the Albiceleste.
Martinez came on in the 97th minute and scored from Giovanni Lo Celso’s perfect through pass before Leandro Paredes cleared the Colombian’s ball just wide of the center post.
Inside the penalty area, Martinez sent a right-footed shot through the raised arms of sliding goalkeeper Camilo Vargas for his 29th international goal, his fifth of the tournament.
After the final whistle blew past midnight, Messi motioned for his senior teammates to lift the trophy with him: 36-year-old Nicolas Otamendi and Angel Di Maria, who is retiring from the national team.
As white confetti cascaded, the trio hugged.
„The truth is, it’s hard to describe,” Di Maria said. „It was written like that. I told the guys at dinner last night that I had a dream. That’s why I said it was my last Copa America. We got to the final and we won it, so I dreamed that I could go out like this.
„I will always be grateful to this generation that gave me everything, helped me win what I always wanted, and today I go like this,” Di Maria said. „It couldn’t be better.”
Messi scored a goal in his 39th and final Copa America at the age of 37. He went down after an ankle sprain in the first half, but stayed in the game.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner looked to the bench after falling on the field in the second half, when it looked like his match was over. He took off his right shoe as he walked, slapping it in frustration, and his ankle swelled. When teammates ran onto the field when Martinez scored, his right foot bare, he stood on the bench and raised his arms.
The launch was delayed from 8pm EDT to 9:22pm Crowd control problems Outside the stadium, including a crowd of fans who breached security gates at a venue to be used for the 2026 World Cup.
Uruguayan players a few days later They were involved in a conflict With Columbia fans following the semifinals in Charlotte, North Carolina, video showed fans climbing over fences and railings to get into the championship game, with officials unable to keep track of who bought tickets and who didn’t.
Colombia were more aggressive and forced goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to make four saves in the first half, but Argentina began to threaten more in the second half.
Nicolas Tagliafico thought he had scored in the 75th minute but was ruled offside. Messi was replaced by Nicolas Gonzalez. Stopped by Vargas in the 95th minute.
A number of players lost their legs in the second half of Sunday’s game. Colombian pop star Shakira was heavily sprayed with grass sprinklers following her halftime performance, causing an extended halftime break.
Colombia’s James Rodriguez was adjudged the Player of the Tournament.
___
AP Copa America coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/copa-america