BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentines descended on Miami to celebrate Lautaro Martinez's winning goal in extra time to give Argentina a 1-0 victory over Colombia in the Copa America final.
After a tense 90 minutes ended with the score at 0-0, Martinez latched on to a through pass and fired a shot over Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas in the 112th minute to give Argentina its third consecutive international title and a record 16th Copa triumph.
Entire families gathered in Buenos Aires in the early hours of the morning, surrounding the famous obelisk wearing white and blue team shirts despite the chilly winter temperatures.
“I couldn't ask for more from them. They continue to give me joy despite the economic tensions we face every day,” said Pablo Lutz, 26, a student, referring to the 300 percent annual inflation that has stretched families' finances beyond their limits.
At Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, the start of the game was delayed by more than an hour after thousands of ticketless fans tried to force their way into the stadium.
The match will be the final international game for at least one of Argentina's top players, with 36-year-old forward Angel Di Maria saying the Copa will be his final tournament.
Captain Lionel Messi, 37, and defender Nicolas Otamendi, 36, are also nearing the end of their glittering careers.
Messi, who was not selected for Argentina's squad for the Paris Olympics, injured his ankle in the first half and eventually left the pitch in the second half as fans bowed to him from the stands.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was seen crying on the sidelines with an ice pack on his ankle.
“When Messi cried, I cried too, but now I'm happy,” said 17-year-old Damian.
Colombia went into Sunday's match on the back of an incredible 28-match unbeaten run and, despite the huge disappointment, fans were confident their team would bounce back.
“We deserved a better result. It's unfortunate but there can only be one winner and that's Argentina,” said a visibly disappointed 22-year-old law student Frank Ospina as he left a Bogota park where he had been watching the game with hundreds of others.
“I'm sure I'll win next time.”
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said last week that government offices would be closed on Monday.
(Reporting by Jorge Otaola, Noel Harf and Kylie Madrid in Buenos Aires and Luis Jaime Acosta in Bogota; Writing by Lucinda Elliott and Julia Sims-Cobb; Editing by Andrew Cawthorn and Peter Rutherford)
