Argentina’s Lionel Messi lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after successful Copa America 2024 on July 14, 2024
| Picture Credit score: Reuters
Argentina received its second straight Copa America championship, overcoming Lionel Messi’s second-half leg damage to beat Colombia 1-0 Sunday evening on Lautaro Martínez’s 112th-minute purpose.
Messi appeared to maintain a non-contact damage whereas working and falling within the sixty fourth minute and coated his face along with his fingers as he sat on the bench and sobbed.
Martínez later ran to that bench to hug his captain after the purpose that propelled Argentina to its file sixteenth Copa title.
Late begin
In a match that began 1 hour, 22 minutes late due to crowd hassle at Laborious Rock Stadium, Argentina received its third straight main title following the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup and matched Spain, which received the 2008 and 2012 European Championships across the 2010 World Cup.
Argentina additionally stopped Colombia’s 28-game unbeaten streak relationship to a February 2022 loss to the Albiceleste.
Martínez entered within the 97th minute and scored from Giovani Lo Celso’s good by move. Simply contained in the penalty space, Martínez despatched a right-foot shot by the upraised arms of sliding goalkeeper Camilo Vargas for his twenty ninth worldwide purpose, his tournament-high fifth.
Lautaro Martinez of Argentina scores the group’s first purpose in the course of the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Remaining match between Argentina and Colombia at Laborious Rock Stadium on July 14, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida
| Picture Credit score:
Getty Photos by way of AFP
Making his thirty ninth and presumably final Copa America look at age 37, Messi had one purpose within the match. He went down after an ankle was stepped on within the first half however remained within the recreation.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner seemed to the bench as quickly as he fell to the sector within the second half, showing to know his match was over. He took off his proper boot as he walked off and slammed it frustration, and his ankle appeared to swell.
Crowd management points
Days after Uruguay gamers have been concerned in a brawl with Colombia followers following their semifinal match in Charlotte, North Carolina, video confirmed followers climbing fences and railings to get contained in the championship match, with officers unable to maintain observe of who had bought tickets and who didn’t.
Colombia was extra aggressive and compelled goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez to make 4 saves within the first half, however Argentina started to threaten extra within the second.
Nicolás Tagliafico thought he scored within the seventy fifth minute however was dominated offside. Nicolás González, who changed Messi. was stopped by Vargas within the ninety fifth minute.
Quite a few gamers misplaced their footing in the course of the second half of Sunday’s match. The grass was closely watered with sprinklers following the halftime efficiency by Colombian pop star Shakira, which triggered an prolonged halftime break.
