Lautaro Martinez scored a decisive extra-time goal as Argentina narrowly defeated Colombia 1-0 to lift a record-breaking 16th Copa America title, despite the loss of Lionel Messi to injury, Soccernet.football reports.
The 26-year-old Inter Milan forward came off the bench to break Colombian hearts in the 112th minute in Miami, a trademark of the Argentine in the tournament, having scored off the bench in La Albiceleste’s opening two group stage matches against Canada and Chile.
Argentina went into extra time without Messi, who left the field in tears in the 66th minute after sustaining an ankle injury.
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Nevertheless, Martinez rose to the occasion in his skipper’s absence, slotting the ball past Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas to secure his nation’s second consecutive Copa America triumph.
Both teams, having conceded a combined total of only three goals en route to the final, displayed their attacking intent early on as Julian Alvarez missed the target within the first 60 seconds, while Jhon Cordoba’s volley hit the post six minutes later.
Emiliano Martinez saved a header from Carlos Cuesta, and at the other end, Alvarez inadvertently deflected a goal-bound effort from Messi after 20 minutes.
As the match remained evenly poised, Jefferson Lerma narrowly missed from distance, and Nicolas Tagliafico headed over from a Messi free-kick just before halftime.
Colombia had the better chances early in the second half. Santiago Arias shot wide, and Davinson Sanchez headed over from a James Rodriguez corner.
On the other end, Vargas saved an effort from Angel Di Maria from a tight angle before a tearful Messi was forced off with 15 minutes of regulation time remaining.
Nicolas Gonzalez, Messi’s replacement, thought he had scored in the 75th minute, but Argentina was denied by an offside flag, sending the game into extra time.
Gonzalez came close again five minutes into extra time, with Vargas making a crucial save on the line.
With eight minutes left to play, it looked like the game would be decided by a shootout, however, two Argentina substitutes combined as Giovani Lo Celso set up Martinez for a composed finish to seal a dramatic victory for La Albiceleste.
