By: Zeina Dabous- Argentina triumphed over Colombia in a thrilling Copa America final, securing their record-breaking 16th championship title.
The match, which experienced an 80-minute delay due to disturbances outside the Miami stadium, saw Argentina emerge victorious in extra time.
In the 112th minute, Lautaro Martinez broke the deadlock with a skillful finish, capitalizing on a perfectly timed pass from Giovani Lo Celso.
This solitary goal proved to be the decisive factor, propelling Argentina to claim the Copa America 2024 crown.
During the second half, Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, sustained an injury while pursuing the ball, forcing him to be substituted.
Overwhelmed with emotion, the 37-year-old star was seen in tears on the sidelines.
Prior to the tournament, Messi had expressed uncertainty about his future participation in international competitions, including the upcoming World Cup to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Having endured numerous disappointments in his illustrious career, Messi had never secured a major international trophy until the age of 34.
Remarkably, he has now achieved three consecutive triumphs in the past three years, including the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup.
As speculation arises about whether this might be the final major tournament for the legendary Messi, it undeniably marked the end of Angel Di Maria’s international career.
The highly decorated player, with 145 caps, had already announced his retirement from the international stage following this tournament.
Not only does Argentina’s victory in the Copa America 2024 final solidify their dominance in South American football but also sets the stage for an intriguing future as they continue their pursuit of success on the global stage.
