Copa America 2024: Argentina beats Colombia to lift record 16th title.....................

Copa America 2024: Argentina beats Colombia to win 16th title – record....

Both captains ready for the match

At Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, neither team scored a goal in regulation time, sending the match into extra time.

Defending champions Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 at Florida's Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, clinching the record title thanks to a late goal from substitute Lautaro Martinez.

The match was delayed for more than an hour as thousands of ticketless fans tried to get into the stadium, resulting in a tense 90 minutes, but a more open game in extra time.

Lionel Messi at halftime

Martinez, the tournament's top scorer, latched onto a precise through pass from Giovani Lo Celso and fired a shot over advancing Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas in the 112th minute, sparking wild celebrations from the Argentine fans. Argentina's latest title follows victories at the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 Copa America, giving eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi the perfect farewell to what is likely his final international tournament.

The win also marked the final game for Argentina, as 36-year-old Angel Di Maria announced last year that he would retire from international football after the Copa, and 36-year-old defender Nicolas Otamendi also announced that he would end his international career.

"The truth is that it was written like that," Di Maria said. "I dreamed of it, of getting to the final, winning and retiring like that.

"I have a lot of beautiful emotions and I am forever grateful to this generation. Today I leave the team with a title," the winger added. Colombia started the game with a high press, John Cordoba hit the post in the seventh minute, but long shots from Jefferson Lerma and Richard Rios were saved by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Jau Rodriguez loses to Argentina to win Copa America 2024

Messi appeared to have hurt his ankle in a collision with Santiago Arias in the 36th minute, and although he got up after receiving treatment, he was clearly out of action for the rest of the match.

In the second half, Colombia pressed again, with Arias and Davinson Sánchez coming close to scoring.

Argentina held up well under the pressure, but in the 66th minute, Messi limped off the pitch with an ankle injury, leading to the comeback.

"Messi had to leave because of an ankle problem but now we can finally give him the joy," added Di Maria, who lifted the trophy alongside captain Messi and Otamendi at the presentation ceremony. The match continued and a goal was disallowed for offside, but Colombia held on and the game went into extra time.

The defending champions continued to push forward in extra time, with Nico Gonzalez testing Vargas with a shot that Martinez eventually broke through.

Ahead of the match, a video circulating on social media showed fans engaging with security forces who ran down the walkway and tried to break through the stadium gates.

A Reuters witness saw several people being turned away from the stadium by security staff, and some players said their families were caught up in the chaos outside and they were unable to enter the stadium, where matches will be held during the 2026 World Cup.

Copa America 2024 Champions

The tournament was marred by a number of organisational problems. Uruguay players clashed with Colombian fans earlier this week and an assistant referee was hospitalised after collapsing while officiating a group match in muggy conditions.