In a dramatic final that started late and was only decided after extra time, Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 to win the Copa America once again.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni fielded exactly the same starting eleven in the final as in the 2-0 win over Canada in the semi-final. For Colombia, however, coach Nestor Lorenzo had to make one change: Munoz had to miss out after his yellow card in the 1-0 semi-final win over Uruguay, with Santiago Arias starting in his place at right-back.
Late start with cheeky Colombians
After problems at the entrance, the match started 82 minutes late. The Colombians had a slight visual advantage before the break, not only playing with discipline against the ball in defense, but also moving forward with great pace and determination. Ex-Bundesliga striker Cordoba hit the far post early on after an artistic shot (7th). Lerma forced keeper Emiliano Martinez into a strong save after more than half an hour (33′).
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni fielded exactly the same starting eleven in the final as in the 2-0 semi-final win over Canada. For Colombia, however, coach Nestor Lorenzo had to make one change: Munoz had to miss out after his yellow card in the 1-0 semi-final win over Uruguay, with Santiago Arias starting in his place at right-back.
Late start with cheeky Colombians
After problems at the entrance, the match started 82 minutes late. The Colombians had a slight visual advantage before the break, not only playing with discipline against the ball in defense, but also moving forward with great pace and determination. Ex-Bundesliga striker Cordoba hit the far post early on after an artistic shot (7th). Lerma forced keeper Emiliano Martinez into a strong save after more than half an hour (33′).
With the first change of the game, Argentina legend Messi had to leave the field. The 37-year-old had injured his ankle during a long stride without any apparent opposing influence, had to be substituted and then took his place on the bench in tears – and with a rapidly swelling ankle. Gonzalez came back into the game – and was the center of attention several times from then on: In the strong final phase of the Albiceleste, the former Stuttgart player first headed just wide (88th) and then shot over the goal from a turn (90.+3).
Lautaro Martinez decides the game
Colombia’s Argentinian coach Lorenzo went into extra time without playmaker James, with Quintero entering the fray. Argentina were closer to the first goal, but di Maria – in his last game in a national shirt – was denied by Vargas, who made a good save (95′).
In the second half of extra time, it was finally the skilful joker Lautaro Martinez who scored the decisive goal for the Albiceleste in the 112th minute – giving his country their third major title in a row after winning the Copa America 2021 and the World Cup in Qatar. The Colombians lost their first Copa final since their home triumph in 2001 – and for the first time in 28 international matches.
