the United States failed to exit the group stage in an embarrassing effort,
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — This one was for Lionel Messi, who sat from the Argentine bench with free-flowing tears following a right ankle injury that swelled after his exit in the 64th minute.
This was for Angel Di Maria, the big-game goal scorer playing in his final match with Argentina. He took the captain band from Messi until his exit, where he hugged Messi on the bench to cap his international career.
And this one is for Argentina, the 2024 Copa America champions, after a 1-0 win over Colombia in a final that was eventful to say the least.
Lautaro Martinez, the club’s leading scorer this Copa America, scored another in the 112th minute of extra time to help Argentina make history.
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Argentina won Copa America 2021. They won the Qatar World Cup in 2022. And this Copa America title is the third major international crown they earned in a three-year span.
Argentina is one of the greatest dynasties in soccer history, and they completed their Copa America run without their best player – even after the match was delayed at least an hour and 20 minutes due to unruly fans without tickets breaching security gates two hours before the game.
Messi tried to run with a head of steam in the 64th minute before he fell to the pitch, and immediately signaled for trainers.
Messi’s right cleat was removed. The captain band was also taken off his left arm. And he slowly limped to the Argentine bench before he burst into tears after his exit.
Messi’s right foot visibly swollen, as captured by the FOX broadcast after he removed his bandage and ice.
He sustained the right ankle injury during the first half. He tried to chase down and make a kick before the ball went out of bounds. But when Messi planted his right foot, it bent in an awkward position as he made a kick with his left foot.
But you couldn’t notice Messi’s pain when it was time to celebrate.
Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions led by Messi, won its its second straight Copa America title.
Colombia was unable to extend its 28-game unbeaten streak. They’ve lost their last two matches against Argentina.
USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights from Sunday night’s match in Miami:
Tempers flare in final minutes of extra time
Moments after Lautaro Martinez gave Argentina a 1-0 lead in the second half of extra time, emotions ran high as both teams engaged in a little extra-curricular shenanigans.
Lautaro Martinez scores goal in extra time: Argentina 1, Colombia 0
Hugs all along the Argentine bench. Lautaro Martinez, the club’s leading scorer this Copa America, has pulled through again with another goal.
Martinez scored during the second part of extra time, and gives Argentina a 1-0 lead.
If the score stands, this game will end and not go to a penalty shootout.
Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez miss prime opportunity: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Argentina’s Angel Di Maria made a nice pass into the goal area, but he could not connect with the sliding Lautaro Martinez in front of the net.
Time for second part of extra time: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
After a scoreless first 15 minutes of extra time, we’re heading to 15 more minutes of it before a penalty shootout.
Messi’s ankle is swollen: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Check out this image of Messi’s right ankle. Woah.
Extra time in Copa America final: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
After two scoreless halves, the Copa America final is heading to extra time. The clubs will play two 15-minute periods with hopes for a score. If the game remains tied after extra time, it will be decided by penalties.
Nicolás González header is closest Argentina has gotten to net: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
A nice sequence from Argentina, including this header from Nicolás González just needed a finish. Play continues.
Argentina goal disallowed after offsides: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Nicolás Tagliafico is caught offside on this near-goal attempt from Argentina.
Messi crying on sidelines after exit in Copa America final: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Lionel Messi leaves Copa America final: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Messi took a fall and immediately called for help from trainers. It appeared Messi was trying to run as fast as he could, but he just tripped over himself.
The captain band is off, his right cleat is removed, and he’s slowly walking off the pitch, emotionally during the Copa America final in the 65th minute.
Messi is covering his face, while crying on the sidelines.
Ángel Di María misses shot toward net: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Ángel Di María, playing in his final match for Argentina, nearly had another big-time goal in a major game. But to no avail.
Santiago Arias misses chance to begin second half: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Colombia had a chance to begin the second half, but was unable to convert.
Messi injury update: He re-enters match after halftime, Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Messi, who injured his right ankle, has re-entered the match as the second half begins.Nicolás Tagliafico misses header after Messi corner kick: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Messi appears fine, delivering a stellar corner kick. But a header by Nicolás Tagliafico was high over the net just before halftime.
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Messi appears to injury right ankle, he stays in the game: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
It appears Lionel Messi has sustained a right ankle injury during the first half of the Copa America final.
Messi tried to chase and hit a ball before it went out of bounds. He planted his right foot, which bent in an awkward position before getting the kick away. Messi grimaced in pain and rolled over several times toward the field to be evaluated by trainers.
Messi eventually stood up to walk off on his own power, but not without a visible limp. He eventually walked back onto the pitch, and stayed in the game.
The injury happened at the 36th minute of the first half, during a scoreless match.
Jefferson Lerma misses shot toward net: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Colombia’s Jefferson Lerma found some space and let one go toward the net. It was just outside the left post, and the outstretched hands of Argentine goalie Dibu Martinez.
Lionel Messi misses shot toward net: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Lionel Messi had an opening and he fired away, but his kick was deflected by Colombian defender Davinson Sánchez just before the 20th minute.
Jhon Córdoba misses shot toward net: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
This shot by Colombia’s Jhon Córdoba nearly resulted in an early lead. So close.
Luis Díaz misses Colombia’s first shot: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Ángel Di María’s tribute before final match with Argentina
Before his final game with Argentina, Ángel Di María’s daughters presented the game ball to him before the match:
Julian Álvarez misses an early touch: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Messi appears ready for Copa America final: Here’s the latest
Well, the stadium is packed and the music has filled the delay. Now, players are being introduced to the crowd.
During pregame warmups, Lionel Messi made this free kick.
Kickoff of match delayed: What time will Copa America final start?
The situation with fans attempting to enter Hard Rock Stadium forced the match to be delayed a half hour.
Kickoff now is slated for 9:15 p.m. ET.
Hard Rock Stadium allows fans to enter, some without tickets
Around 8:11 p.m., police officers backed up and the gates open, allowing fans – with and without tickets scanned – to enter the stadium for the Copa America final.
Fans without tickets enter stadium
Fans without tickets for Sunday’s Copa America final climbed fences and ran past security more than an hour before the Argentina-Colombia match at Hard Rock Stadium.
At least seven people were seen by USA TODAY Sports receiving treatment by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue near ramps entering the stadium. The people appeared to be in distress with flushed faces and were given bottles of water while sitting on the ground and along a low wall.
Starting lineups for Argentina and Colombia
Pres. Biden to address Trump assassination attempt before Copa America
Pres. Joe Biden will address the nation shortly before the Copa America final, forcing the broadcast to FS1 to begin the match at 8 p.m.
The game will continue on FOX after Biden’s speech, FOX Sports announced.
Spain wins Euro 2024, who will play in the Finalissima 2025?
Spain won Euro 2024 with a 2-1 victory over England earlier Sunday, and could play the Copa America 2024 winner in the summer of 2025. A date or location is not yet determined.
The last Finalissima, played between Copa and Euro champions, was in 2022 when Argentina beat Italy.
How to watch Argentina vs. Colombia Copa America final on TV
The Argentina and Colombia match will be broadcast on FOX in English, Univision in Spanish.
