Argentina won their second straight Copa America championship, overcoming Lionel Messi’s second-half leg injury to beat Colombia 1-0 on Sunday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Lautaro Martínez scored the decisive goal in the 112th minute, securing Argentina’s record 16th Copa America title.
Lionel Messi, Argentina’s captain, left the field in tears during the second half due to an ankle injury. Despite his absence, the team managed to hold off Colombia, thanks to a resilient defense and Martínez’s timely goal. Messi’s injury cast a shadow over the victory, but his teammates’ determination shone through, highlighting their depth and skill.
The match faced an 82-minute delay at the start due to crowd disturbances caused by rowdy, unregistered spectators, according to AFP. Once the game began, both teams displayed intense and competitive football, but Argentina had the upper hand.
This victory marks another milestone in Argentina’s football history, adding to their previous successes. The team’s performance, even without their star player, demonstrated their collective strength and ability to rise to the occasion. Martínez’s goal and the team’s overall effort underscored Argentina’s dominance in South American football, as they celebrated their well-earned triumph.