Argentina clinched their record 16th Copa America title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Colombia, but the evening was marred by chaos.
Pre-game turmoil outside the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami led to an 80-minute delay in the kick-off.
Ticketless fans attempted to storm the venue, resulting in clashes with police and security, prolonged waits for legitimate ticket holders in the sweltering heat, and multiple arrests.
The disruptions persisted at halftime with a 25-minute concert by Shakira, a move that drew heavy criticism from Colombia’s coach.
On the field, the game was low-scoring and played in hot, humid weather. Lautaro Martinez became the hero by scoring the winning goal in the second half of extra time, also securing the Golden Boot with five goals overall.
Argentina had a goal disallowed for offside with 15 minutes left, while Colombia’s best chance came from Jhon Cordoba’s shot that hit the goalpost in the first half.
In a dramatic moment, Argentina captain Lionel Messi was visibly emotional after an injury forced him off the field in the second half.
Despite this, he later joined the celebrations for Argentina’s third consecutive major tournament victory (Copa America 2021, World Cup 2022).
This victory comes at a time of uncertainty regarding Messi’s future with the national team.
The 37-year-old has not yet decided whether he will play in the next World Cup, which is also scheduled to take place in North America.
The match also saw the international retirement of Angel di Maria, capping off his illustrious career with 145 appearances for Argentina.
Apart from what happened on the field, the delays before the game at Hard Rock Stadium raise serious worries about whether it can handle the big crowds expected for the 2026 World Cup.
There were also concerns about player safety, with reports of families caught up in the chaos outside the stadium.
Colombia’s impressive 28-game unbeaten streak ended, and they are still waiting for their second Copa America title.
