Argentina staked their claim to the title of greatest national team to ever do it on Sunday, beating Colombia 1-0 in extra time of the 2024 Copa America final to lift their third major trophy in four summers.
[ MORE: Copa America schedule, bracket ]
They faced no shortage of challenges on the night, beginning when the game’s kickoff was pushed back three times (totaling an hour and 15 minutes of delays due to issues with crowd control outside the stadium) and ending with Lionel Messi being subbed off shortly after the hour mark with an injured right ankle. Messi was later seen in tears on the Argentina bench, with a badly swollen ankle on which he could put very little weight during the post-game trophy celebrations. Angel di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi, who are retiring from international football following this tournament, were brought in to assist Messi, comprising “the old guard,” to raise the trophy in unison.
In the end, it was super-sub (and 2024 Copa America Golden Boot winner with five goals) Lautaro Martinez who made the difference in the 112th minute. Giovani Lo Celso played a silky first-time through ball that sprang Martinez between two defenders, and he was off to the races. A deft touch to settle the ball and he lifted it just over, off the fingertips of, Camilo Vargas and into the back of the net.
Despite starting just two of Argentina’s six games at Copa America, Martinez scored two more goals than anyone else (Salomon Rondon was the only player who had three), but lost out to Colombia’s James Rodriguez, who had six assists and a goal, for player of the tournament.
Argentina vs Colombia player ratings
Argentina vs Colombia highlights, updates, final score: 1-0
Goalscorers: Lautaro Martinez (112')
GOAL: Argentina 1-0 Colombia - Golden Boot winner Lautaro Martinez breaks the deadlock deep in extra time
ARGENTINA TAKES THE LEAD IN THE 112TH MINUTE 🇦🇷😱
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Lautaro Martínez does it again 🔥 pic.twitter.com/i2p4e5Li8U
Lautaro Martínez made sure to celebrate with Messi ❤️ pic.twitter.com/pGV84BY4uq
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
OFFSIDE: Nicolas Gonzalez’s goal ruled out for offside by Nicolas Tagliafico
NO GOAL ❌
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Argentina finds the back of the net but it's ruled offside pic.twitter.com/qfC3Q7XURc
MESSI INJURED: Lionel Messi subbed off with ankle injury midway through 2nd half
After initially injuring his right ankle late in the first half while dancing along the end line and attemptong to cross the ball, Lionel Messi has gone down again — this time without any contact — and will be forced off with just over 25 minutes left in regular time. As a reminder, there will be extra time preceding penalty kicks tonight, despite the rest of the knockout rounds going straight to spot kicks after 90 minutes.
Another look at that non-contact play that led to Messi being subbed off pic.twitter.com/07OzBJjDb8
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Messi is in tears as he is subbed off due to injury 💔 pic.twitter.com/t0l3OLLuWf
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
DELAYED (AGAIN AGAIN): 2024 Copa America final kickoff pushed delayed another 30 minutes
9:15 pm ET. Final answer. Hopefully.
DELAYED (AGAIN): Kickoff pushed back 15 more minutes; gates re-opened for fans to enter
Kickoff is now set for 8:45 pm, as players are on the field for warmups and fans have begun to enter Hard Rock Stadium again.
DELAYED: Copa America final kickoff pushed back 30 minutes after ticket-less fans rush stadium gates
The game is tentatively scheduled to kick off at 8:30 pm ET, pushed back by 30 minutes, after there were issues with fans entering the stadium. A number of fans rushed through the gates without tickets, causing the gates to be closed and the stadium briefly locked down. As of 8:15 pm ET, thousands of fans remain outside the stadium and players are not yet back out for warmups.
Kickoff could be further delayed.
Argentina starting lineup
E. Martinez - Montiel, Romero, L. Martinez, Tagliafico - Di Maria, De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister - Messi, Alvarez
Colombia starting lineup
Vargas - S. Arias, Cuesta, Sanchez, Mojica - Rios, Lerma, Rodriguez - R. Arias, Diaz, Cordoba
How to watch Argentina vs Colombia, stream link and start time
Kick off: (DELAYED) 8:45pm ET, Sunday (July 14)
Stadium: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida
How to watch on TV in USA: Fox Sports
Argentina focus, team news
There are no injury or suspension concerns for Argentina and they should line up exactly the same as they did against Canada. A narrow formation has allowed Alexis Mac Allister and Angel Di Maria to get on the ball often and Alvarez will get the nod ahead of Lautaro Martinez up top. Lionel Scaloni’s defensive unit is so settled with Emiliano Martinez in goal and Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez ahead of him at center back.
Colombia focus, team news
Munoz is suspended for the final so Colombia will make a change at right back with Santiago Arias likely to come in. James and Diaz behind Jhon Cordoba has worked so well for Colombia in attack and they are such an aggressive side when they win the ball back and James has the quality to hurt any opponent. They’ve scored 12 goals at Copa America 2024, which is the most of any team and four more than Argentina.