Argentina have lifted their 16th Copa America title and their biggest star, Lionel Messi, is likely to say goodbye to international football.
The game in the US city of Miami, which was delayed by more than an hour after thousands of fans without tickets tried to get into the stadium, was a cramped affair for more than 90 minutes but started in extra time on Sunday.
Lautaro Martinez, the tournament’s top scorer, latched onto a through ball from Giovani Lo Celso before lifting his effort past the advancing Colombia keeper Camilo Vargas in the 112th minute to spark wild celebrations among the Argentina fans.
Just inside the penalty area, Martinez sent a right-footed shot over the raised arms of sliding goalkeeper Camilo Vargas for his 29th international goal, his fifth of the tournament.
Argentina’s latest title, their 16th Copa victory, comes on the back of their triumphs at the 2022 World Cup and 2021 Copa America and gives eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi the perfect start to his final international tournament.
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The win also marked Angelo Di Maria’s last game in Argentina after the 36-year-old announced last year that he would retire from international football after the Copa, while defender Nicolas Otamendi, 36, is also set to call it quits.
Messi made his 39th appearance at the tournament and possibly his last Copa America at the age of 37. He went down after spraining his ankle in the first half but stayed in the game.
Messi looked to the bench as soon as he fell to the pitch in the second half, looking like he knew his tournament was over. As he left, he took off his right shoe, slamming it in frustration, his ankle swollen. With his right foot bare, he stood by the bench and raised his arms as teammates ran onto the field when Martinez scored.
