Argentina triumphed over Colombia to secure a record 16th Copa America title, but the victory was overshadowed by chaotic scenes outside the Hard Rock Stadium, causing an 80-minute delay to the kick-off.
Lautaro Martinez emerged as the hero for Argentina, scoring the decisive goal in the second half of extra time from a through ball by Giovani Lo Celso. The dramatic win was bittersweet as captain Lionel Messi, who had to be substituted midway through the second half due to an injury, was seen in tears but later celebrated his country’s third successive major tournament win at the final whistle.
The start of the match was significantly delayed due to turmoil outside the stadium. Organizers reported that ticketless fans attempted to storm the venue, leading to clashes with police and security personnel. Several arrests were made, and numerous supporters required medical attention from paramedics after waiting for hours in the Miami heat.
Adding to the disruption, the half-time break was extended to 25 minutes to accommodate a performance by Colombian popstar Shakira, a decision criticized by Colombia’s head coach, Nestor Lorenzo.
The match itself was tightly contested in hot and humid conditions, yielding few clear opportunities. Colombia came closest in the first half when Jhon Cordoba’s shot struck the woodwork. Argentina thought they had taken the lead with 15 minutes remaining, but Nicolas Tagliafico’s effort was disallowed for offside. Ultimately, Martinez’s goal not only clinched the title for Argentina but also earned him the Golden Boot with five goals in the tournament.
This victory adds to Messi’s illustrious career, marking his third international tournament win in three years, following the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup. Despite his impressive achievements, Messi’s future in international football remains uncertain. At 37, his performances have shown signs of decline, with his only goal in this tournament coming in the semi-final win over Canada. He also missed a crucial penalty in the quarter-final shootout against Ecuador and had to leave the pitch due to an ankle injury during the final.
The final also marked the end of Angel Di Maria’s international career, as the veteran announced his retirement from international football after 145 caps.
The pre-match delays were another blow for organizers, especially with the Hard Rock Stadium scheduled to host games during the 2026 World Cup. The incidents in Miami followed similar scenes in the semi-finals in Charlotte, where Uruguay players clashed with Colombia fans over concerns for their families’ safety.
Roberto Garnacho, brother of Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho, expressed his frustration on social media, stating, “What a shame CONMEBOL, the families not being able to enter the stadium, unbelievable. We were with [Argentina defender Marcos Acuna’s] family outside, getting away from the fights… Argentina’s security had to come get us, children of players crying, people entering without tickets.”
Colombia, which had been unbeaten in 28 games dating back to a World Cup qualifier against Argentina, fell short in their quest for a second Copa America title, their only triumph remaining the 2001 success on home soil. Despite several chances, including Cordoba’s early effort that hit the post, they could not find a way past the resilient Argentine defense.
As Argentina celebrates another historic victory, the chaotic scenes in Miami raise questions about the organization and security measures for future international tournaments.