Argentina Win Record 16th Copa America Title

Lautaro Martínez’s 112^th-minute goal clinched the championship for Messi’s team.

Messi appeared to sustain a non-contact injury while running and falling in the 64^th minute and covered his face with his hands as he sat on the bench and sobbed.

Martínez later ran to that bench to hug his captain after the goal that propelled Argentina to its record 16^th Copa title.

In a match that started 1 hour, 22 minutes late because of crowd trouble at Hard Rock Stadium, Argentina won its third straight major title following the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup and matched Spain, which won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships around the 2010 World Cup.

Argentina also stopped Colombia’s 28-game unbeaten streak dating to a February 2022 loss to the Albiceleste.

Making his 39^th and possibly last Copa America appearance at age 37, Messi scored just one goal in the tournament.

He went down after an ankle was stepped on in the first half but remained in the game.