Argentina have won the 2024 Copa America, defending their title in an intense 1-0 win over Colombia. Lautaro Martinez came off the bench to score the winning goal in extra time, also securing the top scorer award of the tournament with five goals to his name.
Lionel Messi was in tears on the bench after being taken off in the second half due to injury. The number 10 went down without a challenge in the second half, and had to be taken off.
The match started a couple of hours late because of a security issue ahead of kickoff, which certainly added to the nerves.
Argentina win Copa America 2024 in hard fought contest
Lautaro Martinez lost his starting spot during the 2022 World Cup.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 15, 2024
Two years later, while primarily coming off the bench, he scored the winning goal in the Copa América final and finished as the tournament's leading goal scorer (5) 👏 pic.twitter.com/oCopAZZkWp
Colombia had a number of opportunities to take the lead before their rivals. But, they lacked composure in front of goal, squandering a number of golden chances. In the end, the missed chances proved to be costly as they have now been defeated for the first time since February 2022.
Interestingly, Argentina was the last team to beat Colombia before they embarked on their unbeaten run. And in the finals of the Copa America, the Albiceleste have done it again to win their third successive major tournament.
Angel Di Maria has played his last major tournament for Argentina, as confirmed before the final. And it now remains to be seen if Messi and Nicolas Otamendi follow suit and call time on their careers with the national team on a high.
