Argentina secured its third consecutive major title with an extra-time victory over Colombia in Miami on Sunday, as a tearful Lionel Messi likely bid farewell to international soccer in a Copa América final delayed by crowd trouble.
Forward Lautaro Martinez, coming on as a substitute, scored the decisive goal deep into extra time, clinching a 1-0 victory for the world champions. This win ended Colombia’s 28-match unbeaten run and brought Argentina a record 16th Copa América crown.
The match was hard-fought, with Argentina captain Messi, 37, substituted in the second half due to an apparent ankle injury. This game is likely his last appearance at a major international tournament. The soccer legend was visibly emotional as he watched from the bench, with television images showing his right ankle heavily swollen. However, the tears turned to cheers after the final whistle, as a hobbling Messi embraced his teammates and coaches with a huge smile while Argentine fans serenaded the champions.
The celebratory scenes capped off a chaotic night in Florida. Kick-off at the sold-out 65,300-capacity Hard Rock Stadium was delayed for more than an hour due to “thousands of fans without tickets attempting to forcibly enter the stadium,” according to a stadium spokesperson. Photos and videos from outside the stadium showed massive overcrowding, with visibly distressed women and children among the thousands stuck outside the gates. One photo even showed fans falling on top of each other at an overturned crush barrier.
Video from CNN affiliate WSVN also showed some fans climbing the stadium walls in an attempt to gain entry. The gates were later reopened “for a short period of time to all fans to prevent stampedes and serious injury at the perimeter,” the stadium spokesperson said in an update.
“There was serious concern of fans being crushed in an attempt to enter. Law enforcement and security personnel were immediately deployed throughout the stadium and surrounding area to keep fans as safe as possible in light of this unprecedented situation,” the update said.
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