Argentina Repeats as Copa America Champions

Photo: Ziro Castellanos

Argentina 1-0 Colombia (aet)

MIAMI GARDENS, FL–Argentina repeated as champions as Copa America on a wild night at Hard Rock Stadium. The match was delayed 82 minutes as fans without tickets crashed the gates in an attempt to see the match. Once the match did kickoff, it became a battle of attrition.

Lionel Messi would leave the match in the 66th minute following a non-contact injury. His ankle was visibly swollen while on the bench. Colombia’s James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz would also not see the end of the match. Angel Di Maria played 117 minutes in his final international for Argentina. Nicolas Otamendi was Argentina’s last substitute and he is expected to call time on his international career.

The game’s only goal came in the 112th minute as Enrique Lo Celso sent a dime of a pass to Lautaro Martinez who finished past goalkeeper Camilo Vargas. It was a physical, absorbing match that saw 26 fouls and four yellow cards. Vargas would make five saves on the evening while Emi Martinez made four in a match that would end just after midnight Eastern time. It is a record 16th Copa America title for Argentina while Colombia continues their wait for their first Copa since 2001.

Ziro Castellanos made the journey to South Florida. To view more of his photos, please click on the link to his gallery.