The Argentina national team beat Colombia in the final of the Copa America. The Albiceleste won the tournament for a record 16th time, and Lionel Messi won the 45th trophy in his career and strengthened his title as the most successful football player in world history.
The path to the final We have already compiled the top ten most interesting facts from the final confrontation introduced. You can view them here:
Both teams approached the head-to-head meeting without losses.
The Argentina national team easily won its group and did not concede a single goal at this stage, beating Canada, Chile and Peru in turn. In the playoffs, the Albiceleste were unable to keep the goal locked only in the match against Ecuador, conceding in stoppage time, but achieved success in the penalty shootout (the same one when the great Leo Messi did not score after an unsuccessful attempt to perform the “panenka” «), and in the semi-finals they beat the same Canadians.
As for Colombia, the team of Argentine coach Nestor Lorenzo avoided defeat in the group stage in the match with the Brazilians and beat Paraguay and Costa Rica. In the playoffs, the Colombians defeated Panama and then defeated Uruguay in a dramatic match.
Riots, chaos, stampedes and arrests The match was marred by riots that occurred at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami before the match began. The starting whistle was supposed to sound at 3:00 Moscow time, but the start of the game had to be postponed by 30 minutes. This was not enough to solve all the problems. As a result, the match began at 4:22 Moscow time.
Many fans of both teams tried to enter the stands without tickets. Arena security officers and police were forced to begin arrests using force and close the entrances. Due to the large crowd of fans, chaos and crush occurred. According to media reports, there were casualties and bloodshed, and people lost consciousness. Children were also injured. The footage is creepy.
The level of organization of the America's Cup in the USA does not stand up to criticism. There have been a lot of complaints about the work of the arena employees and the quality of the stadium fields; the riots in the stands even affected the football players. But the Americans will host the World Championships in two years. This America's Cup turned out to be a terrible advertisement for the States before the World Cup.
Injury, tears and a new record The final match of the America's Cup alone surpassed the entire European Championship that took place the day before in all respects. Fury, passion, brilliant football, a large number of mistakes and drama — all this did not fit even into 90 minutes. The winner was revealed after extra time.
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As if charged with additional emotions due to the situation around the match, both teams began to openly fight on the field in the fight for the ball. And Colombia, in confrontation with the best team in the world, never looked worse, and in some places even better. The Colombians acted sharper and more dangerous. Just look at the moment performed by Krasnodar forward John Cordoba. The Colombian dodged in an incredible way and delivered a shot that sent the ball flying just wide of the post. But Argentina also had its moments. For example, when, after a cross from Angel Di Maria, the great Leo Messi found himself completely alone without any supervision and shot, it seemed sure to be a goal. But Julian Alvarez got in the way of the ball, after which the projectile ended up in the hands of the Colombian goalkeeper.
Messi later became the main object of the match, but for different reasons. At the end of the first half, he suffered an injury to his right leg after a collision with Santiago Arias. The Argentine received medical assistance, after which he was able to continue playing. But not for long. In the second half, Messi fell badly and again felt discomfort in his leg. In the 66th minute of the match, he was replaced by Nicholas Gonzalez, leaving the field accompanied by doctors. On the bench, Leo could not hold back his tears and burst into tears.
As the end of regulation time approached, both Argentina and Colombia began to make more and more mistakes, although they tried to play carefully, realizing the cost of a mistake. However, fatigue made itself felt. This was especially evident in extra time. And it was one mistake that became fatal. Former Zenit midfielder Leandro Paredes made a successful tackle in the center of the field and left the ball to Giovani Lo Celso, who famously brought out substitute Lautaro Martinez to meet the Colombia goalkeeper. The forward, who frankly failed at the last world championship and then deserved a portion of criticism, used his chance with pleasure. His goal in the 112th minute gave Argentina its 16th America's Cup. This is a new tournament record. Messi couldn't do without a record either: Leo won the 45th trophy in his career and confirmed his status as the most titled football player in history.
Messi raised the treasured cup with his longtime friends Nicholas Otamendi and Di Maria. For Di Maria, this moment was truly special, because the Argentinean star played his last match for the national team in his career. Leaving the field during the match, he also could not hold back his tears and burst into tears.
What was the result? Messi with another trophy. Ahead of him is a battle with the Euro winners Spain, and this, in theory, is another championship. Against this background, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and the failed Copa America Vinicius Junior no longer seem to be such obvious contenders for the 2024 Ballon d'Or. Will Leo's figure once again outshine everyone in the debate for the title of the best football player in the world?
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