Argentina wins its 16th Copa America title beating Colombia in final

Argentina won their 16th Copa America Football title by defeating Colombia 1-0 in the final of the 48th Copa America, played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, the United States of America, on 15 July 2024(Indian Time). 

It was the second time in the 108 years of history that the Copa America football tournament was held outside South America. Both the times it was hosted by the United States of America in 2016 and 2024.

The 48th Copa America was hosted by the United States of America from 21 June - to 15 July 2024, and 16 countries' men’s football teams participated in it.

Lautaro Martinez score the winning goal for Argentina 

At the stipulated 90 minutes of the game, both the teams failed to score a goal and it ended as a goalless draw. In the extra time Argentinian Lautaro Martinez, the leading goal scorer of the tournament, scored the winning goal and his fifth goal of the tournament.

The winning goal brought out a wild celebration amongst the Argentinian fans. 

This was the 16th Copa America title win for the South American football powerhouse Argentina. Argentina were the defending champion as they have won the 2021 Copa America and are also the current World Champion having won the 2022 FIFA men’s World Cup.

This was perhaps the last international tournament for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi. During the final match, 37-year-old Lionel Mesi had to walk out of the field due to an ankle injury. During the whole tournament, he scored only one goal for his team.

Most successful team in the Copa America 

• Argentina is the most successful team in the history of the  Copa America tournament, having won it 16 times.
• Uruguay is the second most successful team, with 15 title wins.  
• Brazil has won the tournament 14 times.

About Copa America 

• Copa America is the world’s oldest international football tournament, which was started by CONMEBOL- South American football governing body, in 1916. 
• It was held on the occasion of the 100th year of independence of Argentina. The inaugural tournament was won by Uruguay, beating the host Argentina in the final..
• Copa America started as a continental-level football tournament for South American countries but later on, other countries were also invited to play in the tournament. 
• At present all the countries of South America, North America, Central America and the  Caribbean countries participated in the tournament.
• The first countries outside South America to be invited were Mexico and the United States of America.
• Mexico has been invited for a record 11 times, and the United States five times.