Simply hours after Spain grew to become the first-ever workforce to win 4 European Championships, Argentina joined them in celebration and historical past, claiming a report sixteenth Copa America and changing into essentially the most profitable workforce in South America. The win over Colombia on the Onerous Rock Stadium in Miami on Sunday, July 14, marked Argentina’s fourth-consecutive win in a ultimate. They gained the Copa America in 2021, the FIFA World Cup in 2022, Finalissima in 2023, and now the 2024 Copa America.
Desperation To Elation For Lionel Messi As Lautaro Martinez Secures Win For Argentina In Additional Time
Argentina supervisor Lionel Scaloni fielded his strongest XI for the ultimate in opposition to Colombia, who had not misplaced of their earlier 28 matches (22 wins) throughout competitions. Each groups started cautiously, feeling one another out within the first couple of minutes of the primary half. Within the seventh minute, Colombia center-forward Jhon Cordoba hit the submit along with his cross-turned-shot. It will have been embarrassing had the woodwork not come to his rescue.
Within the twentieth minute, Lionel Messi fired a warning shot at Colombia, however goalkeeper Camilo Vargas had it lined. Round 1 / 4 of an hour later, the Inter Miami star was on the receiving finish of a cracking deal with from Santiago Arias. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner stayed down clutching his ankle, prompting the physios to hurry to the pitch to deal with him. After a couple of minutes of pitch-side therapy, he returned to motion, however the 37-year-old didn’t look comfy. Within the sixty fourth minute, Messi tried to take the ball away from Colombian attacker Luis Diaz, however his swollen ankle wouldn’t cooperate. Reluctantly and disappointingly, the Argentine icon got here off the sector within the 66th minute. Later, he broke down on the bench, as he was decided to assist his workforce within the ultimate Copa America event of his profession.
Lautaro went to have fun with Leo Messi after one of many greatest targets of his life 🤗 pic.twitter.com/2taSOZ6NOq
— B/R Soccer (@brfootball) July 15, 2024
With Messi gone, Argentina misplaced a little bit of momentum, however they didn’t lose their form, which means Colombia did not penetrate their back-line. With each groups failing to discover a well beyond each other, the sport went into further time.
The primary half of additional time was as uneventful because the 90 minutes previous it, however substitute Lautaro Martinez ensured La Albiceleste wouldn’t want penalties to defend their Copa America crown. Latching on to a through-ball from Giovani Lo Celso, the Inter Milan ace entered the field from the proper and despatched the ball flying into the top-left nook. After scoring the aim, he ran to the bench to have fun along with his captain Messi.
Lautaro Martinez, Emi Martinez, and James Rodriguez Declare 2024 Copa America Honors
Messi was not at his greatest within the 2024 Copa America, scoring solely as soon as all through the event. Nonetheless, it finally didn’t matter, as his teammates rose to the event to take Argentina to continental glory for a whopping sixteenth time.
Martinez, who performed a secondary function within the 2022 FIFA World Cup, was Argentina’s chief goalscorer within the Copa, scoring 5 targets in six matches (2 begins). He took dwelling the Golden Boot award within the 2024 Copa America. His teammate Emiliano Martinez, who was the shootout hero in opposition to Ecuador within the quarter-finals, deservedly gained the Golden Glove award. With him guarding the online, Argentina conceded only one aim in six targets. Lastly, Colombia captain James Rodriguez claimed the Participant of the Event award, delivering one masterclass after one other to take his nation to the ultimate. He scored one and supplied a tournament-high six assists in six begins.
Courtesy of their win over Colombia, Argentina will play in opposition to EURO winners Spain within the Finalissima in 2025. What a cracker that can be!
