ARGENTINA overcame a second-half injury of Lionel Messi to pull off a 1-0 victory over Colombia to clinch the 2024 Copa America crown on Sunday night (Monday in the Philippines) at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Lautaro Martinez knocked down the go-ahead conversion in the 112th minute as the Argentineans captured their 16th Copa America championship overall.
Both teams struggled to convert in the opening half before Argentina suffered a huge blow in the 64th minute as Messi crumbled on the ground due to a non-contact injury while running.
Messi was later seen on the bench, covering his face with his hands and sobbing after being subbed out by Argentina head coach Leo Scalioni due to his injury.
With both teams still scoreless in the second half of extra time, Martinez broke the scoreless deadlock as he sent a right-foot shot through the upraised arms of Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas just inside the box.
This was the third straight major crown for Argentina, following their 2021 Copa America championship and 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph against France.
SPAIN RULES EURO CUP
Mikel Oyarzabal knocked down a go-ahead goal late in the game as Spain ruled the 2024 European Championship with a 2-1 victory over England on Sunday night (Monday in the Philippines) at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany.
Oyarzabal, who was substituted for team captain Alvaro Morata midway through the second half, made his presence felt in the 86th minute as he drilled a left-wing cross from Marc Cucurella.
This was Spain’s fourth European Championship overall, the most by any team in the competition, after also hoisting the crown in 1964, 2008, and 2012.
Nico Williams gave Spain a 1-0 edge early in the second half with his 47th-minute conversion, but it was negated by a goal from England’s Cole Palmer in the 73rd minute./PN
