Argentina tops Colombia in extra time to win record-setting 16th Copa América

MIAMI GARDENS, Florida — An extra time goal by Lautaro Martínez was enough to break a scoreless tie with Colombia and win the 2024 Copa América final for Argentina — and give La Albiceleste their third consecutive title at a major tournament, equaling Spain's feat a dozen years ago.

Despite coming into Sunday's finale at sold-out Hard Rock Stadium with a Copa-leading four goals, Martínez didn't start the match. But he came on early in the additional half-hour and scored with just eight minutes remaining, handing Los Cafeteros their first loss in 29 matches. Afterward, he ran to the bench and celebrated with injured captain Lionel Messi, who left the game in the second half after suffering an apparent ankle injury.

Here are a few quick thoughts on Argentina's latest triumph.

There's no doubt it was the winner. The match, which began more than an hour later than scheduled because of fan trouble outside the stadium gates and a lack of security inside of them, was a cagey, physical affair. The two teams traded fouls, half-chances and saves. And it looked for all the world like the contest was headed to penalties before Martínez, the most valuable player in Italy's Serie A last season with Scudetto champions Inter Milan, broke the deadlock with a moment of magic.

Following a Colombian turnover in the midfield, a deft touch by fellow substitute Giovani Lo Celso sent Martínez in alone behind Los Cafeteros back line. The 26-year-old striker did the rest, settling the pass and blasting the ball past keeper Camilo Vargas:

Colombia had chances of its own to win its first Copa América in 23 years. The best of them by far came just two minutes after halftime, when midfielder Santiago Arias had a clean look at the net. Unfortunately