Argentina triumphs in tense Copa América final amid security chaos
Substitute Lautaro Martínez's decisive goal in the 112th minute sealed Argentina's third consecutive major championship, following their 2021 Copa victory and 2022 World Cup triumph.
ERBIL (Kurdistan)— Argentina clinched their record 16th Copa América title with a 1-0 victory over Colombia in a dramatic and chaotic final at Hard Rock Stadium.
Substitute Lautaro Martínez's decisive goal in the 112th minute sealed Argentina's third consecutive major championship, following their 2021 Copa victory and 2022 World Cup triumph.
The match, delayed by 82 minutes due to significant security and crowd control issues, saw fans breaching gates and overwhelming security personnel, resulting in a chaotic atmosphere outside the stadium.
Many fans without tickets rushed the entrances, leading to medical emergencies due to heat exhaustion and creating a semi-orderly rush into the stadium once gates were reopened without ticket checks.
Despite the off-field chaos, the match itself was a gripping encounter. Argentina's victory was bittersweet as captain Lionel Messi left the field in tears due to a lower right leg injury in the 66th minute, casting doubt on his participation in the 2026 World Cup.
The first half was marked by strong performances from both teams. Argentina's Ángel Di María, playing his final game for the national team, came close to scoring, while Colombia's Camilo Vargas made several crucial saves. Despite his injury, Messi threatened the Colombian defense but was eventually forced off the pitch.
The match intensified in the second half, with both teams striving for a breakthrough. Argentina believed they had scored in the 75th minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside. As extra time loomed, Martínez seized the moment, converting a precise pass from Giovani Lo Celso into a match-winning goal, his fifth of the tournament.
The victory marked Argentina's dominance in South American soccer and ended Colombia's 28-game unbeaten streak. Colombian captain James Rodríguez, named the tournament's best player, reflected on losing despite a strong performance.
The chaotic scenes outside the stadium overshadowed the on-field action, raising concerns about the venue's readiness for the 2026 World Cup. Both teams and fans criticized the security arrangements, with Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni describing the situation as "very weird" and calling for improvements.
As Argentina celebrated their hard-fought victory, the tournament highlighted both the beauty and challenges of hosting major international soccer events, underscoring the need for better preparation and security measures in future tournaments.
