Lautaro fires Argentina to a record 16th Copa America title
MIAMI GARDENS, Florida — Argentina won a record 16th Copa America title by beating Colombia 1-0 thanks to an extra-time goal from Lautaro Martinez on Sunday, after the final was delayed for over an hour due to thousands of ticketless fans trying to get into the stadium.
Martinez, who came off the bench in extra time, latched onto a precise through ball from Giovani Lo Celso before lifting his effort over advancing Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas in the 112th minute, sparking wild celebrations at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.
Argentina’s latest title comes on the back of its triumphs at the 2022 World Cup and 2021 Copa America, and gives eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi the perfect sendoff in what is likely his last international tournament.
The win, which saw Argentina move ahead of Uruguay after the pair had been tied on 15 Copa titles, marked Angel di Maria’s final international match.
Defender Nicolas Otamendi, 36, is also set to call time on his international career.
“The truth is, this was written, it was this way,” 36-year-old Di Maria said. “I dreamed that I would arrive at the final and win it and retire in this way. I have so many beautiful feelings and I am eternally grateful to this generation, and today I am leaving with a title.”
South American soccer’s governing body CONMEBOL pushed the start time of the match back three times, as videos surfaced on social media showing security scuffling with fans that were attempting to breach the gates of the stadium.
A Reuters witness saw several people being ejected from the stadium by security staff at the venue, which will host matches during the 2026 World Cup.
“It was hard, because many had their families outside, they didn’t know what was going on,” Argentina’s Cristian Romero told TyC Sports. “It didn’t seem like a final, there was a lot of commotion and a lot of concern.”
Colombia started the match by pressing high up the pitch and Jhon Cordoba hit the post in the seventh minute, before Jefferson Lerma and Richard Rios had long-range efforts saved by Emiliano Martinez.
Messi hurt his ankle in the 36th minute after rolling it when making a cross under pressure from Santiago Arias, and, while he got back to his feet after receiving treatment, he was clearly hampered for the remainder of the half.
Colombia went on the offensive again in the second half with Arias and Davinson Sanchez coming close to breaking the deadlock.
Argentina soaked up the pressure well, but were dealt a blow in the 66th minute when Messi limped off.
“Messi had to leave because of that ankle problem, but finally we were able to give him some joy,” added Di Maria, who jointly lifted the trophy with captain Messi and Otamendi at the presentation ceremony.
The defending champion continued to push forward in extra time, testing Vargas with a shot from Nico Gonzalez before Lautaro Martinez, the tournament’s leading scorer, finally found the breakthrough.
The defeat ended a 28-match unbeaten streak for Nestor Lorenzo’s side, which started following a loss to Argentina in February 2022.
“It hurts after a tournament that the whole team fought for, it hurts when you compete to win, and we felt we deserved more,” Sanchez said after Colombia’s hopes of winning a first Copa America title since 2001 were dashed.
“We wanted to give the victory to a country that deserves it. Colombia deserves everything. We leave empty-handed, but we will go on.”
Colombia captain James Rodriguez was named player of the tournament after notching six assists to break Messi’s record of five in a single edition of the Copa America.