Argentina etched their name in history books once more by clinching their second consecutive Copa America championship in a thrilling 1-0 victory over Colombia in the final on Monday.
After a tense and goalless regulation time, Lautaro Martinez emerged as the match-winner in the 112th minute of extra time, sparking jubilation among the Argentine fans.
Martinez, who came on as a substitute in the 97th minute, capitalized on a brilliant through pass from Giovani Lo Celso just outside the box to slot home his fifth goal of the tournament with a precise right-footed finish—his 29th international goal overall.
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The dramatic victory not only ended Colombia’s impressive 28-game unbeaten streak but also showcased Argentina’s resilience and tactical acumen under the leadership of Lionel Messi, who, with this win, solidified his status as the most decorated football player of all time with an unparalleled tally of 45 trophies.
The match saw a turn of events when Messi, earlier seen on the bench, tripped and suffered an ankle injury during a non-contact incident in the 66th minute.
Forced to leave the field, Messi was replaced by Nicolas Gonzalez in a bid to maintain equilibrium in the team.
Despite the setback, Argentina continued to press forward, ultimately reaping the rewards with Martinez’s late heroics.
The triumph adds to Argentina’s recent string of successes, including their 2022 World Cup victory and the 2021 Copa America triumph, marking their third major title in a row.
With a record-breaking 16 Copa America titles overall, Argentina reaffirmed their status as the dominant force in South American football, setting the stage for future challenges against top footballing nations worldwide.
