Argentina retained their Copa America crown after beating Colombia 1-0 in the finals at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sunday. Lautaro Martinez came off the bench to net the winner for the reigning champions in the 112th minute as earning his side their 16th title in the competition. Here are some of the key highlights from the 2024 Copa America finals:
1′ – KICK-OFF: The final is underway at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens in Florida
1′ – CHANCE! Argentina with an early chance as Gonzalo Montiel’s cross found Julian Alvarez but he couldn’t connect with the ball properly
7′ – CLOSE! James Rodriguez found Jhon Cordoba inside the box and the latter attempted an acrobatic effort that hit the outside of the post
33′ – SHOT! Jefferson Lerma tries a shot from range but Emiliano Martinez gets his fingertips to it, parry it away
43′ – WIDE! Lionel Messi sends in a free-kick and Nicolas Tagliafico gets a head to it but couldn’t keep his effort down as it goes for a goal-kick
45′ – HALF-TIME: Argentina 0-0 Colombia
54′ – CLOSE! Jhon Arias cut inside and looked to curl one in from outside the box but it sails wide
62′ – WIDE! Lerma tries another ambitious effort but it is nowhere near the target
66′ – Argentinian change: Messi can’t continue and limps off the field; a huge blow for the holders
74′ – NO PENALTY! The referee stopped the play for a potential penalty for Colombia, but following a review, it’s not given
76′ – OFFSIDE! Argentina have the ball in the back of the net but its ruled offside
90′ – FULL-TIME: Argentina 0-0 Colombia
95′ – SAVE! Rodrigo De Paul attempts a shot but it’s straight at Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas
104′ – CLEARED! Lisandro Martinez clears an impending danger by hooking the ball out of play when Luis Diaz was waiting to collect the pass
105′ – End Of First Period: Argentina 0-0 Colombia
108′ – Another chance! Angel Di Maria whipped an excellent cross for Martinez but he failed to make the connection
112′ – GOAL! Argentina have their breakthrough as Martinez finishes beyond Vargas to give them the lead
115′ – BRAWL! De Paul goes down to a foul and both players are seen getting into a heated altercation
120+2′ – NO PENALTY! Colombia appealed for a penalty for a handball inside the box, but they were waived away after a careful review
102′ – FULL-TIME: Argentina 1-0 Colombia; the holders retain their title
Key Moment of the Match
Lautaro Martinez came off the bench to score the winner for Argentina in the 112th minute. Giovani Lo Celso collected a pass just outside the box and laid it off for Martinez on the right, and the Inter Milan hitman produced an emphatic finish into the far corner.
Player of the Match – Angel Di Maria
In what was his last ever game for Argentina, Angel Di Maria shined bright. The midfielder created a host of chances for his side through crosses and defense-splitting passes. Undoubtedly the player of the match!