MIAMI.- In an agonizing match between Argentina and Colombia, Lautaro Martínez saves his team and dries Lionel Messi’s tears. The Albiceleste are champions of the Copa América and retain the title.
Lautaro Martínez was not in Lionel Scaloni’s starting eleven plans. However, he became the goalscorer Argentina so desperately needed in moments of anguish. Martínez came on in extra time (96′) for Julián Álvarez and needed six minutes to put his team at the top of the Copa América.
After an hour and a half without goals, Martínez got hold of a through ball from Lo Celso and with determination scored the only goal of the match in the 112th minute. With that shot he has scored six goals in the competition and thus became the most valuable player of the final. Martínez remains the leading scorer of the Copa América.
The duel left a bittersweet taste for Colombia, who gave a performance worthy of a finalist. A match that will go down in history for the fierce dispute between the two teams. A confrontation that deserved to go into extra time.
There were some tense moments at Hard Rock Stadium before the start of the game, which warranted the game starting an hour later. However, it turned out to be what every football fan wants to see.
Lionel Messi had to leave the match in the second half due to injury. His desperation at missing the final was evident in tears. But the work done by his teammates allowed him to celebrate and show off a smile.
Argentina is a two-time champion of America, where it also won its 16th Copa América.
Here you can see the chronology of the Copa America final