Copa America final: Lionel Messi injured but Argentina win third straight major title
- It is the second consecutive – and record 16th – continental title for the Albiceleste, who leave it late in a match delayed by crowd issues
Argentina have won their second straight Copa America championship, overcoming Lionel Messi’s second-half leg injury to beat Colombia 1-0 on Sunday night through a 112th-minute goal by Lautaro Martinez.
Messi appeared to sustain a non-contact injury while running and falling in the 64th minute and covered his face with his hands as he sat on the bench and sobbed.
Martinez later ran to that bench to hug his captain after the goal, which propelled Argentina to their record 16th Copa title.
In a match that started one hour, 22 minutes late after thousands of fans without tickets tried to enter the stadium, the Argentinians won their third straight major title following the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup – matching Spain, who won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships with the 2010 World Cup sandwiched in between.
Argentina’s win saw them move ahead of Uruguay after the pair had been tied on 15 Copa titles. Argentina also stopped Colombia’s 28-game unbeaten streak dating to a February 2022 loss to the Albiceleste.
Martinez entered the game in the 97th minute and scored from Giovani Lo Celso’s perfect through pass.
Just inside the penalty area, the Inter Milan forward sent a right-foot shot through the upraised arms of sliding goalkeeper Camilo Vargas for his 29th international goal, and his tournament-high fifth.
