Argentina claimed its third straight major title with an extra-time victory over Colombia in Miami on Sunday, as a tearful Lionel Messi likely said goodbye to international soccer in a Copa América final delayed by crowd trouble.
Forward Lautaro Martinez, on as a substitute, hit the winner deep into extra time to claim a 1-0 victory for the world champions that ended Colombia’s 28-match unbeaten run and brought Argentina a record 16th Copa América crown.
It came after a hard-fought game that saw Argentina captain Messi, 37, substituted in the second half with an apparent ankle injury in what is likely to be his last game at a major international tournament.
The soccer legend was visibly emotional as he watched the game unfold from the bench while nursing his swollen right ankle.
But the tears turned to cheers at the final whistle when a hobbling Messi embraced his teammates and coaches with a huge smile before lifting the trophy as jubilant Argentine fans serenaded the champions.
The scenes of celebration were the culmination of a chaotic night in Florida, where kick-off at the sold-out 65,300-capacity Hard Rock Stadium was delayed for more than an hour after “thousands of fans without tickets attempted to forcibly enter the stadium,” according to a stadium spokesperson.
Photos and video from outside the stadium showed massive overcrowding, with visibly distressed women and children among thousands of fans stuck outside the gates. At least one photo showed fans falling on top of each other at an overturned crush barrier.
Video from CNN affiliate WSVN also showed some fans climbing the stadium walls in an attempt to gain entry.
It is unclear if any fans or security personnel were injured.
