By Alonso Contreras
A final destined to etch its mark in U.S. soccer and Copa America history unfolded with dramatic flair. Colombia arrived in top form, boasting one of their best teams ever, while Argentina aimed to clinch their second consecutive title and claim their sixteenth Copa America trophy, positioning themselves as the sole leader in the tournament’s history.
However, the final's kick-off was tainted by severe security issues. In the early hours, a large crowd of fans without tickets gathered outside the stadium, eager to witness the clash. This led to chaos, with fans attempting to breach the stadium, prompting CONMEBOL to shut all entrances.
The media faced significant challenges, and additional police were called in as fans continued their attempts to get inside. The situation quickly escalated with arrests, people fainting, and even a dog being seen entering the stadium—highlighting the fans' reckless behavior in their quest for a seat.
The match was delayed by 30 minutes, forcing players to return to their dressing rooms. An hour before kick-off, reports estimated around 30,000 people outside the stadium. To manage the chaos, the gates were eventually opened, but the situation remained far from ideal. Fans without tickets crowded the stairs, creating a dangerous environment. Despite stopping the sale of alcohol, it did little to deter the crowd, who resorted to looting food stands and causing further disorder.
Fans climbed fences, used ventilation systems to sneak in, and vandalized stadium property, including breaking escalators. Ticket holders who had paid over $1,000 were left outside, unable to attend the match.
The game finally began around 9:30 PM, with Colombia showing dominance but Argentina holding firm. Both teams had their share of dangerous moments. Lionel Messi tried to breach Colombia’s defense, while Angel Di Maria, in his final professional appearance, gave his all in a bid for victory.
Half-time featured a stellar performance by Shakira, with her hit songs energizing the crowd. Also present were Colombian stars Maluma and Ryan Castro, who further fueled the atmosphere.
The match took a tough turn for Argentina when Messi was substituted due to a severe ankle sprain, leaving him in tears on the bench as he watched his team from the sidelines.
After 90 minutes ended in a 0-0, the match proceeded to extra time. It was in this crucial period that Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, made a pivotal change. Lautaro Martínez, the tournament's top scorer, entered the game and scored the decisive goal, thanks to a precise pass from Giovani Lo Celso. This goal sealed the victory and avoided penalties, concluding the match in the 120th minute.
With this triumph, Argentina was crowned Bicampeón de América. Lautaro Martínez was named Top Scorer of the Tournament, James Rodríguez was awarded Best Player, and Emiliano Martínez earned the Best Goalkeeper accolade.
The final, marked by significant security issues, also turned into a memorable night for Angel Di Maria's farewell, highlighting both the high drama and the special moments of this historic Copa America clash.
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