With star teammate Lionel Messi sidelined by an obvious proper ankle harm, substitute Lautaro Martinez led Argentina to a document sixteenth Copa America title along with his purpose in further time for a 1-0 victory over Colombia in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Sunday evening.
Martinez, who entered the match within the seventh minute of added time, made the most effective of an excellent by way of ball from Giovani Lo Celso to attain his tournament-best fifth purpose within the 112th minute general.
Argentina, the 2022 World Cup champion, defended its 2021 Copa America crown whereas breaking a tie with Uruguay for probably the most titles on the event.
Colombia’s solely title got here in 2001 because the host nation. The Colombians had a 28-match unbeaten streak (22-0-6) come to an finish on Sunday.
The beginning of the match was delayed 82 minutes from its unique 8 p.m. ET kickoff attributable to ticketless followers breaching the gates, forcing a lockdown of the stadium. Later, due to the swell of individuals attempting to get in, some gates have been opened to permit anybody, ticket or not, entry.
The match ended at 12:09 a.m.
Messi, 37, exited the match within the 66th minute. He went down untouched, however after medical consideration, he walked off the sphere along with his proper shoe in his hand and was proven on the bench in tears.
The harm initially occurred within the thirty fifth minute after a tough problem a couple of yard past the tip line by Colombia’s Santiago Arias, who appeared to clip Messi within the leg earlier than rolling on his proper ankle. Messi stayed down for a couple of minutes earlier than returning to the play.
A sellout crowd of over 65,000 noticed Colombia management the primary half however come up empty.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was compelled to make 4 saves within the first half and noticed a shot by Jhon Cordoba kiss the skin of the left put up within the seventh minute.
Nonetheless, Colombia did not have one other shot on track for the rest of the match, ending with 4 to Argentina’s six.
Midfielder Angel Di Maria, 36, began in his last match for Argentina, ending his 17-year worldwide profession with 145 appearances, tied for third most in membership historical past.
Di Maria was subbed out within the 117th minute.
–Area Degree Media
