Miami Gardens, Florida — Argentina overcame Lionel Messi’s second-half leg injury to win their second consecutive Copa America championship against Colombia, with Lautaro Martinez scoring in the 112th minute to give the hosts a 1-0 victory on Sunday night.
Messi appeared to suffer a non-contact injury after falling while running in the 64th minute, and sat on the bench sobbing and covering his face with his hands.
Martinez later ran to the bench and hugged his captain, and the goal secured Argentina their record 16th Copa title.
In a match that started one hour and 22 minutes late due to crowd problems at the Hard Rock Stadium, Argentina were looking to claim their third major title after the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup, taking on Spain, winners of the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.
Argentina also had Colombia’s 28-game unbeaten run ended after their defeat to Albiceleste in February 2022.
Martinez came on as a substitute in the 97th minute and scored after Leandro Paredes stole the ball from the Colombian just outside the halfway line before latching on to a perfect through ball from Giovani Lo Celso.
From just inside the penalty area, Martinez fired a right-footed shot past the arms of sliding goalkeeper Camilo Vargas to score his 29th international goal and fifth career goal of the tournament.
As the final whistle blew just after midnight, a limping Messi gestured to teammates Nicolas Otamendi, 36, and retired international Angel Di Maria to lift the trophy with him.
The three hugged each other as white confetti poured down.
“It’s hard to explain, actually,” Di María said. “That’s what it said. I told my friends at dinner last night that it was a dream. That’s why I said it was my last Copa America. I had a dream that I was going to get to the final, win it and go out like this.
“I will always be grateful to this generation that gave me everything and helped me achieve what I always wanted. And today I leave like this,” Di Maria said. “It couldn’t be better.”
Messi, who was playing in his 39th and likely final Copa América at the age of 37, scored one goal in the tournament. He was knocked out in the first half after suffering an ankle injury but remained in the game.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner looked at the bench as soon as he collapsed on the field in the second half, as if he knew the tournament was over. He took off his right boot as he walked away and kicked it in frustration, his ankle seemed to swell. He stood next to the bench with his right foot raised and his arms raised, and when Martinez scored, his teammates rushed onto the field.
The kick-off was pushed back from 8 p.m. ET to 9:22 p.m. due to crowd control issues outside the stadium, including a group breaking into security gates at the stadium that will host the 2026 World Cup.
Days after Uruguayan players scuffled with Colombian fans after their semifinal match in Charlotte, North Carolina, footage emerged showing fans scaling fences and railings to enter the final stadium, leaving officials unable to keep track of who had bought tickets and who had not.
Colombia came out more aggressively, forcing goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to make four saves in the first half, but Argentina started to look more threatening in the second half.
Nicolas Tagliafico thought he had scored in the 75th minute but it was ruled offside. Nicolas Gonzalez, who replaced Messi, had his shot blocked by Vargas in the 95th minute.
Several players lost their footing during the second half of Sunday’s game. After Colombian pop star Shakira’s halftime performance, sprinklers sprayed the grass with water, extending the halftime.
Colombia’s James Rodriguez was named the tournament’s best player.
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AP Copa America coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/copa-america
