MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The 2024 Copa América — beauty and chaos rolled into three problematic weeks of soccer spanning fervent venues across the United States two years before the World Cup comes stateside — reached a triumphant but troubling pinnacle Sunday.
The match itself was a bruising and engrossing affair, with Argentina raising the championship trophy for a record 16th time by defeating Colombia 1-0 in extra time on substitute Lautaro Martínez’s 112th-minute goal.
It ended without Lionel Messi on the field, the Argentine superstar having left in tears 20 minutes into the second half with an injury to his lower right leg.