In the 2024 Copa América final at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 in extra-time to win the tournament. It was their 16th Copa América title, the second most in the tournament’s history, behind Uruguay. It was a hard-fought battle, as expected between two formidable teams that desired the trophy at all costs. But it was Argentina’s Lautaro Martínez coming to the rescue for both his team and the match in the 112th minute.
The opening exchanges were unfamiliar for a final. Nobody was bossing the game. Colombia’s Jhon Córdoba hit the post in the seventh minute in what could have been seen as a warning shot for Argentina. Colombia’s Jefferson Lerma’s long-range effort threatened Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez to dive. Lionel Messi is fouled by Colombia’s Yerry Mina. Lionel Messi’s shot is stopped by Colombia’s Camilo Vargas.
Nonetheless, the biggest loss for Argentina came in the 65th minute, when – after another blow from a Colombia player – Messi limped off the pitch with his leg held up. Argentine fans held their breath, fearing the worst. And the departure threatened to turn the pendulum back towards Colombia. Argentina held on. Lautaro Martínez, the other breakout star of the tournament, scored the golden goal in extra time, after receiving a pass from Giovani Lo Celso following a perfectly timed Leandro Paredes tackle. Argentina are back-to-back Copa América champions.
In the end, Colombia, for all their moments of magic, couldn’t find a way around an organised Argentinian back line. Without their talisman, James Rodríguez, subbed off in the closing stages, they had no point of penetration. Argentina’s back line – Emiliano Martínez in goal, a back four of old heads – had seen it all before.
For Argentina, it was a vindication of sorts, their second successive Copa América (after 2021), and their crowning of their humiliation at the hands of France in the World Cup 2022, with Messi still on the pitch. Lautaro Martínez was the tournament’s top-scorer with five goals, and shown to be the mainstay for the side with Messi out. And, of course, it represented that ‘no-quit’ spirit of Argentina’s squad that has been the dominant force in South American football since.
