The defending champions, Argentina, have beaten Colombia by 1-0 in extra time to retain their title. The late goal came in the 112th minute in the second half of extra time when Giovani Lo Celso set up the ball for substitute Lautaro Martinez, the tournament’s leading scorer. Argentina was crowned Copa America champions at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami for the 16th time on Sunday night, July 14, 2024.
The champions were left without their star player and captain, Lionel Messi, who had to be substituted halfway through the second half after hurting himself while chasing the ball.
Messi left the pitch in tears in what seemed like a devastating end to his part in what was an underwhelming tournament by his standards. His only goal came in the semi-final win over Canada, and he also missed a penalty in the quarter-final shootout against Ecuador.
Despite this setback, he was nonetheless happy to have won his nation’s third straight major championship in as many years as the final whistle blew.
Messi became the most decorated player in football history with a record 45 trophies won in his career. It’s still uncertain if this is his final major tournament appearance of his legendary career.
Undoubtedly, it marked the end of Angel di Maria’s global career. After this, the 145-time capped player had previously declared he would step down from the international scene.
