Argentina clinch record 16th Copa America with 1-0 extra-time win over Colombia

[sweep_shot]

Argentina have done it. They have won the Copa America again. Back to back.

Argentina 1 - Colombia 0.

Argentina are now the most successful team in Copa America history. Won the title 16 times.

 

[JaDed]

Argentina Alcaraz and Spain winning , seems like a Spanish Weekend

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

Messi continues to build his legacy.
Where are CR7 fans??

 

[Devadwal]

Copa america is equivalent to which cricket Trophy

 

[FearlessRoar]

Argentina clinch record 16th Copa America with 1-0 extra-time win over Colombia​

Defending champions Argentina won a record 16th Copa America title by beating Colombia 1-0 thanks to an extra-time goal from substitute Lautaro Martinez at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida on Sunday.

The game, which was delayed by more than an hour after thousands of fans without tickets tried to enter the stadium, was a cagey affair over 90 minutes but opened up in the extra period.

Martinez, the tournament's leading scorer, latched onto a precise through ball from Giovani Lo Celso before lifting his effort over advancing Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas in the 112th minute to spark wild celebrations among Argentina fans.

Argentina's latest title comes on the back of their triumphs at the 2022 World Cup and 2021 Copa America, and gives eight-times Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi the perfect sendoff in what is likely his last international tournament.

The win also marked Angel di Maria's final Argentina match after the 36-year-old said last year he would retire from international football after the Copa, while defender Nicolas Otamendi, 36, is also set to end his international career.

"The truth is, this was written, it was this way," Di Maria said. "I dreamed it, I dreamed that I would arrive to the final and win it and retire in this way.

"I have so many beautiful feelings and I am eternally grateful to this generation and today I am leaving in this way with a title."

Colombia started the match by pressing high up the pitch and Jhon Cordoba hit the post in the seventh minute before Jefferson Lerma and Richard Rios had long-range efforts saved by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Messi appeared to hurt his ankle in the 36th minute after a collision with Santiago Arias and while he got back to his feet after receiving treatment he was clearly hampered for the remainder of the half.

Colombia went on the offensive again in the second half with Arias and Davinson Sanchez coming close to scoring.

Argentina soaked up the pressure well but were dealt a blow in the 66th minute when Messi limped off due to the ankle injury.

"Messi had to leave because of that ankle problem but finally we were able to give him some joy," added Di Maria, who jointly lifted the trophy alongside captain Messi and Otamendi at the presentation ceremony.

They continued to grow into the contest and had a goal disallowed for offside but Colombia held on as the match went to extra time.

The defending champions continued to push forward in extra time, testing Vargas with a shot from Nico Gonzalez before Martinez finally found the breakthrough.

https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/argentina-clinch-record-copa-america-with-1-0-extra-time-victory-over-colombia-2024-07-15/

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

Copa america is equivalent to which cricket Trophy

Its the third biggest football tournament in the world after World cup and Euros. I dont think we have a cricket equivalent.

 

[Devadwal]

Its the third biggest football tournament in the world after World cup and Euros. I dont think we have a cricket equivalent.

Competition is not a great so I think its equivalent to Asia cup.

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

I dont think USA is prepared for madness that football brings. ​

​

Argentina wins Copa América in Miami final marred by chaotic crowd scenes and tearful Messi goodbye​

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 as television pictures appeared to show his right ankle heavily swollen. But the tears turned to cheers after the final whistle when a hobbling Messi embraced his teammates and coaches with a huge smile on his face as 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.
The gates were later reopened “for a short period of time to all fans in order to prevent stampedes and serious injury at the perimeter,” the stadium spokesperson said in an update.

“There was serious concern of fans being crushed in an attempt to enter. Law enforcement and security personnel were immediately deployed throughout the stadium and surrounding area to keep fans as safe as possible in light of this unprecedented situation,” the update said.
The Miami-Dade Police Department said several incidents took place as a “result of unruly behavior and fans trying to access the stadium.”

“Unruly behavior will get you ejected and/or arrested. We have a ZERO TOLERANCE behavior against unruly conduct from everyone attending,” the police said in a statement on X.

CNN has reached out to the police for more information.

In a joint statement, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and chief public safety officer James Reyes said they were “outraged by the unprecedented events at tonight’s Copa America finals.”

“Let’s be clear: This situation should never have taken place and cannot happen again,” their statement said.

“We will work with stadium leadership to ensure that a full review of tonight’s events takes place immediately to evaluate the full chain of events, in order to put in place needed protocols and policies for all future games.”

The scenes are also likely to cause alarm at soccer’s world governing body FIFA, which has approved the Hard Rock Stadium as a venue to host matches at the 2026 World Cup.

 

[FearlessRoar]

It reminds me of India's campaign during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023

https://twitter.com/x/status/1812721080173294058

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Copa America - the 'party that almost became a tragedy'

The 2024 Copa America was supposed to showcase the Americas' passion for football.

But, as Argentine newspaper Ole put it, "this party almost became a tragedy".

Hosted by the United States, in some of the biggest and best stadiums in world sport, the tournament was beset by problems.

It featured poor pitches, half-empty stadiums and crowd trouble before ending in chaotic scenes on Sunday.

The final between Argentina and Colombia was delayed by 80 minutes after ticketless fans forced their way into Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.

Several arrests were made after clashes with police and security personnel, while several supporters needed treatment from paramedics.

It was far from the showpiece the organisers hoped for and raises concerns before the 2026 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.

Copa America final: Chaotic scenes as 'party almost became a tragedy'

What went wrong at the 2024 Copa America tournament and what can be learned from the chaotic scenes that marred the final?

www.bbc.com

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

Copa America - the 'party that almost became a tragedy'

The 2024 Copa America was supposed to showcase the Americas' passion for football.

But, as Argentine newspaper Ole put it, "this party almost became a tragedy".

Hosted by the United States, in some of the biggest and best stadiums in world sport, the tournament was beset by problems.

It featured poor pitches, half-empty stadiums and crowd trouble before ending in chaotic scenes on Sunday.

The final between Argentina and Colombia was delayed by 80 minutes after ticketless fans forced their way into Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.

Several arrests were made after clashes with police and security personnel, while several supporters needed treatment from paramedics.

It was far from the showpiece the organisers hoped for and raises concerns before the 2026 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.

Copa America final: Chaotic scenes as 'party almost became a tragedy'

What went wrong at the 2024 Copa America tournament and what can be learned from the chaotic scenes that marred the final?

www.bbc.com

Signs of time to come in 2026 world Cup, USA has a huge Latin American population compared to 1994. The administration won't be able to handle the "loco muchachos" fans.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Messi has done everything his team needed from him. World Cup done. Copa America done.

Absolute legend of the game.

Argentina also ended the undefeated streak of Columbia. Nice

 

[BouncerGuy]

Colombia football head arrested on battery charge

The head of the Colombian Football Federation, Ramón Jesurún, and his son have been arrested, following a brawl at Sunday's Copa América final in Miami.

Mr Jesurún, 71, and Ramón Jamil Jesurún, 43, were held on charges of battery involving an official or an employee, said the Miami-Dade Police Department.

The charges relate to the brawl at the stadium after Colombia lost to Argentina 0-1 in extra time.

Neither Mr Jesurún nor his son have publicly commented on the issue.

In a statement sent to the BBC, the Miami-Dade Police Department said the incident had happened just after the football match ended at the Hard Rock Stadium in the south-eastern US state.

Mr Jesurún and his son were "walking towards the entrance of the field", it said, but they became "irate and began shouting" at one of the security officers, who was instructed by his management to temporarily delay people from going further.

The police said the officer had "placed an open palm" on the chest of Mr Jesurún's son to guide him back.

Mr Jesurún then pushed the officer, they said, while his son grabbed the officer's neck and pulled him to the ground, punching him and kicking him in the head.

Mr Jesurún's son also grabbed and pushed a female official who tried to assist, the police said.

It added that the two men had also punched a security manager.

Mr Jesurún, his son and other family members are believed to have been trying to go on the pitch to take part in the awards ceremony.

The Colombian Football Federation made no immediate comment on the issue.

The start of the final of the Americas' most prestigious football tournament was delayed by 80 minutes after ticketless fans forced their way into Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.

Several arrests were made after clashes with police and security personnel, while several supporters needed treatment from paramedics.

BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Hard Rock Stadium Hits Back At CONMEBOL After Copa America Final Chaos

Hard Rock Stadium defended the security measures in place for Sunday's Copa America final after CONMEBOL accused the venue of ignoring advice that might have prevented the chaotic incidents that held up the game. The showpiece final between Colombia and Argentina at the Miami venue was delayed by 82 minutes as overwhelmed security struggled to get fans inside after ticketless fans rushed the entry points. CONMEBOL, the governing body for football in South America, suggested that local organizers had failed to follow suggested procedures such as setting up an outer perimeter to screen ticketless fans.

"We regret that the acts of violence produced by malicious people have tarnished a final that was ready to be a great celebration of sport," CONMEBOL said in their statement, adding that CONMEBOL "was subject to the decisions made by the Hard Rock Stadium authorities, according to the contractual responsibilities established for security operations."

Stadium officials said Tuesday that security measures were jointly decided by the venue, CONMEBOL and local law enforcement.

"Hard Rock Stadium has safely hosted hundreds of world-class events in its 37-year history, including Super Bowls, major international soccer matches, Formula 1, NFL and college football, headline concert tours and other global events," management of the venue said in a statement.

"In each of those, security was a joint effort amongst the organizer, local law enforcement agencies and the venue.

"As we've previously said, Hard Rock Stadium worked collaboratively with CONMEBOL, CONCACAF and local law enforcement agencies on security both leading up to and during the Copa America tournament.

"The agencies met regularly, including daily security briefings throughout the month-long tournament. Hard Rock Stadium implemented, and in many cases exceeded, CONMEBOL's security recommendations throughout the tournament and the Final."

The disturbing scenes before the final, won 1-0 by Argentina, immediately raised concerns for the 2026 World Cup which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Local police, overwhelmed by the situation despite the presence of 800 officers, said they detained 27 people and ejected 55 others from the venue.

It wasn't the only concerning security incident during the tournament.

On Wednesday, Uruguay players were involved in a brawl with Colombian fans in the stands after their 1-0 semi-final defeat in Charlotte, North Carolina.

NDTV

 

[BouncerGuy]

'Argentina song stained glory of Copa victory'

Argentina won the Copa America, but lost the respect of many with the manner of their celebration.

Midfielder Enzo Fernandez faces disciplinary proceedings at Chelsea after posting a video on social media that the French Football Federation said included alleged "racist and discriminatory language".

Fifa is also investigating the video, in which several members of the Argentina squad - celebrating their 1-0 win over Colombia in the final - take part in a song originally sung by Argentina fans questioning the heritage of France's black and mixed-race players.

The global repercussions of that song have sparked a reaction from the Argentine government.

Javier Milei's right-wing administration has no natural sympathy for anything that might be considered 'woke'.

But Julio Garro, the under-secretary for sports, suggested that team captain Lionel Messi and local FA president Claudio Tapia should issue an apology for the song that some were singing on the bus on Sunday night. "It's left us looking bad," he said.

Garro was sacked, external on Wednesday for his comments, while others have rejected the need for an apology.

With monotonous and depressing regularity, when teams from Argentina play opponents from Brazil in continental club competitions, there are scenes in the stands of Argentine fans making monkey gestures.

When interviewed, the perpetrators vehemently deny that they are racists. They are indulging in 'banter'. All is fair, they argue, in love, war and football. Anything that goads and irritates the opposition is fair game. And on this latest matter, such sentiments are widespread.

The attempts from Argentine clubs to crack down on this behaviour have often been half-hearted, with references to 'xenophobia' - instead of calling it what it is: racism.

Especially depressing is the fact that this behaviour has been exhibited by some of the players. Here there is no excuse.

With the exception of one of the substitute goalkeepers, the entire squad is based in Europe.

These players are part of multi-national, multi-cultural, multi-racial squads. They should know much better. Quite apart from any possible sanctions, there could be some very awkward dressing-room moments when they report back for pre-season training.

Why do they do it?

One of the attractions of national team duty for these players is the chance to be together with people from their own culture, and sing their own songs.

It is a chance for them to be aggressively and assertively Argentine.

Many aspects of the country's fan culture are wonderful. The songs can be hypnotic.

But the lyrics to this particular song, which grew out of the Qatar World Cup final, which Argentina won on penalties against France, are extremely disturbing.

The Argentine players risk not only insulting their black team-mates and fans. These songs insult their own heritage.

It is rare these days to see a black Argentine. But that has not always been the case.

Going back to the days of Spanish colonial rule, the country imported far fewer enslaved Africans than neighbouring Brazil, and put an end to slavery decades earlier. But around two hundred years ago, Buenos Aires was a third black.

What happened to this population?

There are many theories, ranging from outbreaks of yellow fever to deaths in the war for independence.

The most coherent idea, though, is simply that they were swamped by the millions of immigrants pouring in from Europe and the Middle East (especially Italy - Argentines speak Spanish with an Italian intonation) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The African influence is there in the gene pool. Dark-skinned people are often nicknamed 'el negro' - which carries no negative connotation.

African influence has left its mark. Argentina's most significant cultural product is tango. The word is African, and the music and dance, like so many genres of the Americas, are the consequence of the mix of African, European and indigenous styles.

Because of its socially lowly origins, tango was looked down upon by the Argentine elite, seen as a vulgar phenomenon - until it took Paris by storm in the early 20th century and was thus legitimised.

Incidentally, it is interesting that (just like samba in Brazil), tango in Argentina moved in the opposite direction from football. The musical genre began at the bottom of society and moved up, where football started with the elites and moved down.

A friend of mine is a black Uruguayan sociologist.

You might expect him to have a good radar for these things, and he lived for years in Buenos Aires without experiencing the slightest problem.

On the other hand, the mere presence of so many European immigrants in the south cone of South America was an explicitly racist project.

At the time, there was a fashion for eugenic ideas - the belief that some 'races' were superior to others.

South American leaders sought to 'improve' and 'civilise' their countries through importing a white labour force.

The very presence, then, of so many European descendants in Argentina is the consequence of racist thinking.

The idea of a hierarchy of races has never entirely gone away, and has emerged in all its horror in the lyrics of the song with which some of the Argentina players stained their glory on Sunday.

BBC