Columbia’s 28- games unbeaten run came to a grinding halt on Sunday night as they were beaten 1-0 by defending champion Argentina at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Second-half substitute Lautaro Martínez scored the all-important goal in extra time to lift his second Copa America title and Argentina’s 16th overall. Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria were left in tears for different reasons. Messi was in tears because he was substituted because of an injury he sustained trying to whip a cross from the left side.
This marked the first time Messi had been substituted in a finals representing his country. It was also the first time he had been substituted after starting a CONMEBOL Copa América match since making his debut in 2007. On the other hand, Di Maria was in tears after announcing his retirement from international football.
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A game marred by crowd invasion and a late start did not prevent the players from putting on a fine display for the fans. Three-time Grammy winner Shakira’s electrifying performance was like the cherry on top of a beautiful night of football.
Columbia started the game with one thing on their minds: extending their unbeaten run, knowing they would be champions if they could do so. They enjoyed a significantly larger portion of possession, and as a result, they had the game’s two best chances in the final of the 48th edition of CONMEBOL Copa America.
Six minutes into the game, Santiago Arias knocked a cheeky headed pass to Jhon Córdoba, who cushioned it with his thigh before taking a scissors kick, which kissed the upright and went out of play as the unfortunate. Martinez watched in despair. Six minutes later, Jefferson Lerma supplied Carlos Cuesta with a delightful pass. Still, his header from the center of the box was comfortably saved in the bottom left corner by Martínez.
Argentina struggled to gain a foothold in the contest in the early stages and fed off scraps. However, their first chance came in the 19th minute. Former Real Madrid star man Di María broke away on the left, and his cut-back pass ended in the pathway of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, whose first-time shot was deflected on goal by defender Davinson Sanchez. The sting was taken out of the shot as goalkeeper Vargas collected comfortably to keep the scores at 0-0.
As the game wore on, Argentina balanced possession, limiting Colombia to only two half chances before the half-time interval. The first chance came in the 33rd minute when Lerma took a 40-yard pile driver, ending with Martinez tipping it over the crossbar for a corner kick. The second chance came five minutes before the break, another long and powerful shot by Richard Ríos, which was securely handled down low by the Aston Villa goalkeeper.
The half ended 0-0, just as Nestor Lorenzo and his charge wanted it. Both teams were locked at 0-0 five years ago when they last beat Argentina 2-0 in a Group B Copa America game.
The second half started intensely from both sides: in the 47th minute, Arias had a clear chance with a looping shot that went just wide, and two minutes later, a good team combination ended with Mac Allister assisting Di María. The Argentine's shot couldn't beat Vargas because he had closed down the goal well. Argentina kept pressing higher up the field, forcing the turnovers to restart the attack.
After winning possession, Argentina passed the ball around and moved it from right to left, much to the delight of the supporters chanting MESSI MESSI! In the 57th minute, Di María collected a sublime pass from Nicolás Tagliafico and took a powerful shot, but Vargas was equal to the task and tipped it for a corner.
Messi, who scored just once in the tournament, had the chance of surpassing Norberto Mendez and Zizinho as the all-time leading scorer in Copa America dashed through the window. He was substituted in the 65th, visibly in pain and drenched in tears as he sat with his face in his hands, not because he did not trust his replacement, Nicolas Gonzalez, but merely because he wanted to be out there at the final whistle.
The fans went into a frenzy in the 75th minute; Gonzalez received a backward pass from Tagliafico, and his left-footed shot went into the goal. VAR immediately chalked off the goal as the review showed that the fullback was offside, and the game remained 0-0.
Columbia shuffled things up as they searched for the clincher, but the substitute failed to spark. Argentina dictated play in the final stages and had the best chance before the end of regulation time. It was substitute Nico González’s header, which went just wide of the far post, and a shot inside the box that went over the crossbar.
Deep into extra time, the AS Roma midfielder Paredes made a crunching tackle in midfield to win the ball off Quintero’s toes and a quick pass to Lo Celso, who slipped through a first-time pass to set up Lautaro Martínez one-on-one with Vargas and the "Bull" hit bullseye: his shot went in and marked his fifth goal at CONMEBOL Copa America (Golden Boot in this tournament).
With five minutes left, Di María (chosen as the best player of the match) was substituted for Otamendi and received a standing ovation for his service down the years in the Argentina national team shirt.
It was jubilation for those supporting the blue and white of Argentina and a well-deserved 1-0 victory for team captain Messi. Who has always been the punching bag for the team is now the talking point of every conversation, as the 37-year-old Inter Miami skipper has now won 4 major titles with Argentina in 3 years.
Line up and Match Information
Argentina:
Emiliano Martínez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández; Ángel Di María, Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez.
Substitutes used:
Nicolás González, Nahuel Molina, Giovani Lo Celso, Leandro Paredes, Lautaro Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi.
Yellow cards: Alexis Mac Allister, Giovani Lo Celso.
Coach: Lionel Scaloni.
Colombia:
Camilo Vargas; Santiago Arias, Carlos Cuesta, Davinson Sánchez, Johan Mojica; Jefferson Lerma, Richard Rios, Jhon Arias; James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz, Jhon Córdoba.
Substitutes used:
Rafael Santos Borré, Kevin Castaño, Juan Fernando Quintero, Miguel Ángel Borja, Mateus Uribe, Jorge Carrascal.
Yellow cards: Jhon Córdoba, Miguel Borja.
Coach: Néstor Lorenzo.
Gol: 112’ – Lautaro Martínez (ARG)
Referee: Raphael Claus (Brazil)
Stadium: Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, Florida