Lionel Messi was forced to leave the game in the second half due to an apparent right leg injury.
Lautaro Martinez secured Argentina’s back-to-back Copa América titles and their third consecutive major tournament victory with an extra time goal on Sunday night. Martinez’s decisive strike in the 112th minute clinched a 1-0 win over Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium.
Martinez scored his fifth goal of the tournament after entering as a substitute in the 97th minute, leading all scorers at Copa América. His goal came following a scoreless 90 minutes of regulation time, forcing the game into extra time.
Argentina had to continue the match without Lionel Messi, who left in the 65th minute after he appeared to injure his leg while chasing the ball. Nicolas Gonzalez was promptly substituted in for Messi, who left the field limping and visibly distressed, perhaps realizing it might be his final major tournament appearance for Argentina. His injury’s severity was clear when TV cameras showed his swollen ankle at the start of extra time.
Angel Di Maria was subbed off for Nicolas Otamendi in the 117th minute, marking Di Maria’s final appearance for Argentina. He shared an emotional moment on the bench with Messi.
This victory marks Argentina’s 16th Copa América title. Argentina previously won the tournament in 2021 and triumphed over France in the 2022 World Cup Final. Messi, not retiring from international duty after the World Cup, played in the same city for Inter Miami where he currently plays club soccer.
Despite more possession and shots, Colombia couldn’t convert their opportunities, marking their third Copa América final appearance and first since winning as hosts in 2001.
The final experienced a significant delay and security breaches at Hard Rock Stadium. Fans without tickets overcrowded the gates, causing chaos. Event organizers initially closed the gates, then allowed entry without scanning tickets.
During the match, CONCACAF clarified that it had no involvement, as Copa América is organized by CONMEBOL, South America’s governing body.