Argentina clinched its second consecutive Copa America title by defeating Colombia 1-0 on Sunday night. The winning goal was scored by Lautaro Martínez in the 112th minute, despite Lionel Messi’s injury in the second half.
Messi suffered a non-contact injury in the 64th minute but remained on the field. Martínez’s goal, followed by a hug from the captain, secured Argentina’s 16th Copa title. The match was delayed by 1 hour and 20 minutes due to crowd trouble at Hard Rock Stadium.
This victory marked Argentina’s third consecutive major title win, following their 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup victories. This achievement puts Argentina on par with Spain, who won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships surrounding their 2010 World Cup win.
Argentina also ended Colombia’s 28-game unbeaten streak, which had dated back to a loss against the Albiceleste in February 2022. Martínez, who came on in the 97th minute, scored the winning goal from Giovani Lo Celso’s precise pass. He beat goalkeeper Camilo Vargas with a right-footed shot from inside the penalty area.
This goal marked Martínez’s 29th international goal and his fifth of the tournament.
