Argentina wins Copa América title for record sixteenth time
Argentina won the 2024 Copa América championship 1-0 over Colombia after snatching victory with an extra-time goal in the 112th minute of a scoreless match.
Lautaro Martinez, who was the competition’s leading scorer with five goals, blasted a shot past Colombia goalie Camilo Vargas on a breakaway following a turnover. Argentina, who were the defending champions of the tournament as well as World Cup winners in 2022, were the favorites of the tournament and never trailed during the competition, reports NBC.
But they were forced to win the title without arguably the sport’s greatest player when Lionel Messi was subbed out in the 66th minute with an ankle injury. The game was marred by a delay of more than an hour after fans, many of whom didn’t have tickets, rushed the stadium and tried to get inside.
Video posted on social media showed fans, mostly wearing Colombia’s yellow and red colors, jumping over security railings near the southwest entrance of the stadium and running past police officers and stadium attendants. Screams could be heard in the background.