MIAMI GARDENS, Fla: Argentina have won its second straight Copa America championship, overcoming Lionel Messi’s second-half leg hurt to defeat Colombia 1-0 on Lautaro Martínez’s goal.
Messi seemed to sustain a non-contact hurt while running and falling in the 64th minute and covered his face with his hands when he sat on the seat.
Martínez later ran to that seat to hug his skipper following the goal that pushed Argentina to its record 16th Copa title.
In an encounter that started 80 minutes late due to crowd trouble at Hard Rock Stadium, Argentina won its third straight major title after the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup and matched Spain, which also won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships around the 2010 World Cup.
Argentina prevented Colombia’s 28-game unbeaten streak dating to a February 2022 loss to the Albiceleste.
