Argentina vs Colombia
Watch Argentina vs Colombia full match replay and highlight. This is a match of CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Final.
Kick off: 01:20 GMT Monday Jul 15, 2024.
Referee: Raphael Claus, Brazil.
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Garden.
Argentina Clinches Record-Breaking 16th Copa América Title with Extra-Time Win Over Colombia
Argentina secured their 16th Copa América title and their third consecutive major trophy with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Colombia, thanks to an extra-time strike from Lautaro Martínez. The final, held at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, was delayed by over an hour due to ticketing issues, but once underway, it lived up to its billing as a tense and competitive showdown.
First Half: Early Chances and Tight Contest
The match began with both teams eager to assert their dominance. Julián Álvarez had an early chance for Argentina, flashing a shot wide when well-placed in the box. Colombia responded swiftly, with Jhon Córdoba’s dangerous strike hitting the woodwork. As the half progressed, Colombia took control of possession and looked more threatening, but clear-cut chances were scarce. Jefferson Lerma’s long-range effort was comfortably saved by Emiliano Martínez. Argentina’s best opportunity before halftime fell to Lionel Messi, who scuffed his shot straight into the arms of Camilo Vargas.
Second Half: Colombia’s Surge and Messi’s Injury
Colombia started the second half strongly, with Santiago Arias narrowly missing the target with an angled effort. This near miss seemed to wake Argentina up, but their efforts to find a winner suffered a setback when Messi was forced off with an injury midway through the period. His replacement, Nicolás González, almost made an immediate impact, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
Extra-Time Drama: Lautaro Martínez’s Decisive Strike
As the match entered extra time, González continued to threaten, but Vargas stood firm in the Colombia goal. The breakthrough finally came in the 112th minute when Lautaro Martínez, the tournament’s top scorer, latched onto a through ball from Giovani Lo Celso and finished emphatically into the far corner. Argentina’s relentless pressure paid off, and they held firm during the closing stages to clinch a historic victory.
Triumph and Record
This triumph not only marked Argentina’s 16th Copa América title but also extended their unbeaten streak in major tournaments. The victory inflicted Colombia’s first defeat in 29 matches over two years, showcasing Argentina’s dominance in the tournament. Scaloni’s men celebrated their record-breaking achievement, solidifying their status as one of the greatest teams in Copa América history.