Latauro Calls Match in 112th as Argentina win Copa America Back to back to complete International Treble #2333
Argentina 1 Columbia 0AET
112' Latauro Martinez (Argentina)
Hard Rock Cafe Stadium, Miami
The 2024 Copa America would be decided on Sunday night. We are in Miami, Florida for this tremendous occasion. history on the verge of being set for one of these nations. Argentina and Colombia meeting at the Hard Rock Cafe stadium the home of the Miami Dolphins. For this America Copa America, there's one last chapter to the story. Argentina is in front of them with the possibility of holding three major tournaments all at the same time. Only two national teams in history have ever done this. Spain from the years 2008 to 2012 ripped off the European championships, the World Cup, and the European championships again. That Spanish side is considered one of the greatest international teams in history. Argentina is sitting on the doorstep of joining that group. Argentina won the Copa America in 2021, they won the World Cup in 2022, and now are on the verge of adding the Copa America again. In addition to that, with a triumph in Miami, they will collect their 16th Copa America which will see them burst away from Uruguay as the most successful national side in The history of Copa America. Lionel Messi's, Argentina trying to take a deeper step forward in that history. Argentina went through the group stage without defeat. In the quarterfinals, they managed to beat Uruguay on penalties. In the semi-final, they beat Canada and they now sit in a very formidable position. Argentina has only conceded one goal in this tournament. Latauro Martinez Is the top scorer at the Copa America with Three of his four goals coming off the bench. Meanwhile, Columbia finds themselves As an unlikely finalist at the Copa America. They have not won the competition since 2001. Columbia with a great chance to etch its name in history. They also won their group which featured Brazil. In the quarterfinals, they put the pounding on Panama. In the semi-final In a very cagey and malicious match against Uruguay, They held on to a 1-0 victory despite the extracurriculars after the final pixel. James Rodriguez has been truly special for Columbia he has turned back the clock at this tournament As this is probably his last chance to win something with Columbia. Columbia has not lost in 28 matches. Their last defeat was in 2022 ironically that came against Argentina Latauro Martinez on that night came through and won it. Could lightning strike twice In this Copa America final? Will Argentina make history and grab their third international tournament in a row? Or perhaps James Rodriguez has a little bit left in his tank for one last great performance to put Columbia on the verge of immortality.
The kickoff for the Copa America final was scheduled for 8:00 Eastern time. however, there was chaos leading up to the final. Everyone swarmed around Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Fans without tickets attempted to barricade the entrance trying to illegally enter the stadium. It was a total mess outside the gate with Columbia fans and to a lesser extent Argentina fans trying to push their way through despite not having tickets. The event itself was completely unprepared for its security. The organizers of the event will come under fire again after the mayhem that was unleashed in the Semi-Final between Columbia and Uruguay. As Columbia fans attacked the family of Darwin Nunez causing the Liverpool Striker to climb up into the stands and defend with Uruguay fans and Columbia fan's complete disregard for the rules as they started to unleash between one another. The criticism would come. It was originally postponed until 8:30. however, the problems worsened before it was sorted out. It wasn't until 9:15 that the match began. After all that kickoff finally took place. Argentina once again going with Julian Alvarez instead of top scorer Latauro Martinez but perhaps he will come off the bench and save the day for Argentina. Argentina looked for an aggressive streak to start the final. In the first minute, Gonzalo Montiel delivers a cross into the box for Julian Alvarez He strikes from close range before it goes over the corner. Columbia didn't stand back though as in the 5th minute. Luis Diaz struck from distance. Emilio Martinez is there to make the save. Columbia has been as dynamic as any team at this tournament, however, Argentina has only conceded once It did seem that this was going to be a chess match. In the 7th minute Columbia nearly capitalized Santiago Arias supplied a headed pass for Jhon Córdoba His strike from close range hit the post. Columbia was inches away from a perfect start. Columbia was dominating the first portion of the match. In the 14th minute, Jefferson Lerma Hit a headed pass for Carlos Cuesta Again, Emilio Martinez jumped up and got his hands on it. Columbia more or less was thriving on the hot start. however, Argentina slowly looked to be figuring things out in response. In the 20th minute. Angel Di Maria sends a ball to Lionel Messi He bruises it from close range however Vargas makes an excellent save. As Argentina was gaining confidence, Columbia amped it up in their own right. In the 33rd minute Jefferson Lerma from a distance hit a stinger Emilio Martinez came up with the save. The Colombian forward hit it with vengeance but still total calmness from the Aston Villa keeper. It kept happening for Colombia in the 40th minute. a ball was delivered into the box Jhon Arias on the end of it, dragged it off the mark. Then in the 44th minute. Ricardo Rios took another shot from outside the box. Emilio Martinez is in the middle of chaos again as he makes the save. That would end the first half. Columbia has been the more threatening side, however, Argentina still operating at a point of calm. Still, no score As we reach the break.
One thing we saw from the first half was this was going to be a nasty game in a lot of ways. The referee has been a little loose on the whistle and has allowed aggressive tackles to be exchanged from each side. Columbia has had the better chances. However, Argentina still reeling from the calm. Rodrigo de Paul has been sensational in the middle. He's been everywhere sacrificing his body all over the place. the consensus is eventually Argentina is going to turn and we're going to see them start to show us how great they can be in finals like this. Just for a point of order if there is not a winner after 90 minutes. Unlike the previous parts of the tournament, there will be extra time that will not go straight into penalties. There's no debating who was the best team in the first half. However, Argentina started strong in the second. In the 49th minute, Angel Di Maria collects the ball from Mac Allister. The Benfica winger strikes from the left side of the box, but somehow Vargas lands on top of it again. Columbia didn't necessarily back off of their aggressiveness. They kept the same energy. However, the Argentine defense was more than prepared for the moment. It's not some mistake that they have only conceded once at the tournament this far. It was going to be incredibly difficult to break them down. it's not some mistake that they have only conceded once at the tournament this far. It was going to be incredibly difficult to break them down. In the 58th minute. Angel Di Maria called his shot again this time from close range somehow. Vargas managed to keep Argentina out of the watering hole. As I said before, there's been a significant amount of nastiness between Columbia and Argentina. The referee had lost total control and it seemed like everything went. Unfortunately, Lionel Messi had been targeted for a good portion of the match multiple dirty tackles were bestowed on him. unfortunately, tragically Lionel Messi had to be removed. minutes after The camera shows him on the bench in tears struggling to contain himself. He now had to leave it up to his teammates to figure it out. An important thing to mention Martinez is still on the bench. It became a tug-of-war between Argentina and Colombia. Both sides had some chances to take it home. However, 90 minutes was not going to be enough to settle it.
This was going to take extra time to find a winner. No Lionel Messi for Argentina. However, Colombia has been frustrated over the past 45 minutes trying to figure out the proper way to handle the situation. Scaloni finally makes the call. we all expected him to make 20 minutes prior. Latauro Martinez The Inter Milan Superstar and the Copa America Golden Boot winner comes on to hopefully score his fourth goal from the bench at this tournament and take them to the trophy. In the 95th minute. Nicole Gonzalez blasted a chance at Vargas but the Colombian landed on it keeping them alive but only just. In the 105th minute, Argentina worked it through the air on a set piece. Angel Di Maria delivers to the left side of the box Nicolás Tagliafico gets on the end of it but can't find Argentina a winner. The first half of extra time would wrap up with 15 minutes to find a winner before it is headed to a dreaded penalty shootout. Argentina needed to find a winner. It reminisces Euro 2016 when Cristiano Ronaldo had to leave after 9 minutes, Portugal went on to win it in the late stages of extra time from an unlikely source. Surely not right? Latauro Martinez Just entered the run of play in the 97th minute. He's been the hero off the Bench with four goals. in the 112th minute, the Inter Milan Superstar burst forward Giovani Lo Celso Hit a through ball down the right side. Martinez was in on goal. However, the ball arrived on the right side of the box. It was at an angle. It wasn't in a natural position. It was going to take a level of difficulty to put it in the back of the net. However, all the things that have ever been said about him ricocheted through his ears. At this moment the fact that he was blamed for so many things regarding Argentina he got the reputation of being a player that doesn't have a clinical touch. Even though it was lies, he's not a good finisher is what they would say then when he had success they would say it was not that impressive because of the number of changes he missed. Check the tape for every big moment for Inter Milan he sticks it in the back of the net. He missed two big chances in the World Cup last year. It's almost as if they forgot who he was with Argentina on the verge of Glory with time ticking down, he showed who he is Latauro Martinez Is driving the ball on the right side from a difficult angle and supplies a beautiful touch past the goalkeeper into the back of the net as he is the hero again Argentina leads 1–0.
The Inter Milan Superstar has put Argentina on the brink of glory and history. the remaining 8 minutes were a complete bloodbath. Columbia doing everything they could a scuffle occurred shortly after the goal after Lisandro Martinez was elbowed in the mouth and then pushed to the floor. The referee had lost, complete control and wasn't giving the proper disciplinary reaction to anyone. In the 120th minute, Columbia had a last roll of the dice Carlos Cuesta got his head on the end of it before. Emilio Martinez catches it and lies on it like a bomb It was a lot of flying bodies in the box. Columbia aggressively asked for a penalty. There was no evidence whatsoever. however, the Colombian players would not back away from the referee. This is what happens when you lose control of the game. it wasn't even evident enough for a video check. back and forth left and right. They would not let up. If the referee had any balls whatsoever, he would have given a yellow card to every single player. After about 5 or 6 minutes of the referee, trying to tell the Columbia players to back off. eventually, a goal kick is given to Emilio Martinez. He launches it down the pitch and at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. The full-time whistle goes Argentina has done the impossible. They have won their 16th of America and now they become one of two teams in history to hold three major tournaments at the same time. Copa America 2020 is already in their possession World Cup 2022 in their possession and now Copa America 2024 is Argentina’s Messi has to leave because of injury but off the Bench as the hero again Latauro Martinez silence is the critics as he delivers the vital goal for Argentina as they beat Colombia in Miami. Argentina has won the Copa America once more. Argentina's historic tournament has reached its conclusion. Even though Columbia fell in defeat, they put together a truly memorable tournament. James Rodriguez turned back the clock put magic in the bottle and let it loose here in the United States. He was crowned the player of the tournament. the Golden Glove went to Emilio Martinez. The Golden Boot was picked up by Latauro In a lot of ways, the Copa America was forgettable. However, the final was nothing of the sort. It was memorable from the chaos to the controversy to the unleashing of endorphins and that winner in the end. Lionel Messi failed to continue and this Argentina side battled until the very finish as the Copa America ended with Argentina Glory on the right boot of Latauro Martinez.
