Despite Lionel Messi’s absence due to injury in the 66th minute, Argentina triumphed over Colombia with a late goal from Lautaro Martinez, securing their 16th Copa America title.

“I’ve dreamed of this. I’ve dreamed of retiring like this. I am truly grateful to this talented generation for helping me achieve what every player aspires to in their career. What could be better than ending like this? It’s not easy to reach the final and win,” expressed Angel Di Maria, marking his 145th appearance for Argentina and his final match in national team colors.

The clash between Argentina and Colombia was an intense and dramatic battle, characterized by both sides’ deep understanding of each other’s tactics. They played tightly, creating numerous dangerous moments, but neither side managed to score in the regulation 90 minutes.

For Argentina, Lionel Messi’s emotional exit due to injury in the second half added tension for fans. However, substitute Lautaro Martinez came on in the 97th minute and decisively scored the winning goal in extra time, sealing a 1-0 victory for the white and blue-striped team.

Argentina topped Group A with wins over Canada, Chile, and Peru. They progressed past Ecuador in the quarterfinals via penalties and defeated Canada again in the semifinals, reaching their fourth consecutive Copa America final after participating in the tournament five times.

This victory enabled Argentina to surpass Uruguay in Copa America titles, securing their 16th triumph in the tournament’s history. It also marked the third consecutive major tournament victory for the team under the leadership of Lionel Scaloni, following Copa America 2021, World Cup 2022, and Copa America 2024.

Colombia began their journey with wins over Paraguay and Costa Rica in Group D before drawing with Brazil to secure their place as group winners. Under coach Nestor Lorenzo, Colombia defeated Panama 5-0 in the quarterfinals, achieving the largest margin of victory in this year’s tournament. They then defeated Uruguay in the semifinals to reach their third final in history. Colombia also set a record of 28 unbeaten matches before facing Argentina.

However, their unbeaten streak ended in Miami as Argentina successfully defended the title they won four years ago in Brazil. This defeat means Colombia has only won one Copa America title in their history, secured at home in 2001. Colombia won the Fair Play award, and James Rodriguez received the Best Player award for his six assists and outstanding performances that helped the team reach the final. Lautaro Martinez clinched the Copa America 2024 Golden Boot with five goals.

The recent weeks have undoubtedly been an unforgettable period for football fans worldwide and those in attendance in Miami. The Copa America final was delayed for over an hour. Outside the stadium, thousands of ticketless fans attempted to illegally enter, and Miami police had to work hard to ensure security for those present.