The Copa America final ended dramatically as Argentina claimed the title after a tense match against Colombia. Lautaro Martinez’s decisive goal in extra time secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory for the reigning world champions in a controversial game.
The match, though, started quite dramatically. Fans without tickets forced their way into the stadium, causing a delay of over an hour. Security staff had to close the gates to regain control of the massive crowds well before kick-off.
The delay did not affect superstar singer Shakira’s halftime show. Her extravagant performance extended the halftime duration from 15 to 20 minutes.
The sight of Lionel Messi shedding tears on the bench captured the emotional rollercoaster of the match. Despite leaving the field with an ankle injury in the 65th minute, Messi’s teammates rallied to secure the Copa America title in his honour.
Witnessing Messi’s emotional reaction on the bench as he received treatment for his injury emphasised the significance of the victory for the legendary captain.
The win was Argentina’s third straight major tournament title, following their 2021 Copa victory and their triumph in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
