Copa América 2024: Argentina wins Miami final marred by chaotic crowd scenes and tearful Messi goodbye

CNN
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Argentina clinched a third consecutive major title with an extra-time victory over Colombia in Miami on Sunday, with a Copa America final postponed because of crowd trouble, prompting a tearful Lionel Messi to say a likely farewell to international football.

Substitute forward Lautaro Martinez scored the winning goal late in extra time to give the world champions a 1-0 victory, ending Colombia’s 28-game unbeaten run and giving Argentina a record 16th Copa America title.

This is the Argentina captain MessiThe 37-year-old was substituted in the second half with an apparent ankle injury and this is likely to be his final game in a major international competition.

The football legend was visibly emotional as he watched the game unfold from the bench, nursing a swollen right ankle.

But the tears turned to cheers as the final whistle blew and a limping Messi smiled broadly, hugged his teammates and coaches and lifted the trophy as jubilant Argentina fans serenaded the champions.

The celebratory scenes were the culmination of a chaotic night in Florida, with kickoff at the sold-out 65,300-seat Hard Rock Stadium delayed for more than an hour because “thousands of non-ticketed fans attempted to force their way into the stadium,” according to a stadium spokesman.

Photos and video from outside the stadium showed extremely crowded scenes, including visibly distressed women and children, among the thousands of fans stranded outside the gates, and at least one photo showed fans lying on top of each other on a toppled security fence.

Video from CNN affiliate WSVN showed fans climbing the walls to get into the stadium.

It is unclear whether any fans or security guards were injured.

In an update, a stadium spokesman said the gates had since been reopened “for a short period to all fans to prevent any stampede or serious injury to anyone nearby.”

“There were serious concerns that spectators could be crushed trying to gain entry. Given this unprecedented situation, police and security personnel were immediately deployed to the stadium and surrounding areas to ensure fans are kept as safe as possible,” the update said.

Miami-Dade Police Department Said Some of the incidents occurred “as a result of disorderly conduct and fans attempting to enter the stadium.”

CNN has reached out to police for more information.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levin Cava and Public Safety Director James Reyes said in a joint statement they were “outraged by this unprecedented event” and that authorities would investigate the cause of the unrest.

“Let us be clear: this situation should never have happened and must never happen again,” the statement said.

The scenes are likely to alarm soccer’s international governing body, FIFA, which has approved the Hard Rock Stadium as the site for the 2026 World Cup. The Copa America is organised by the South American football confederation CONMEBOL.

The upset in Miami on Sunday came after Colombia’s semifinal win over Uruguay in Charlotte, North Carolina, Unpleasant scenes.

Emotions flared after a tense match on Wednesday when players from both teams clashed on the field and then, live on television, Uruguayan players were seen entering the stands and getting into a scuffle with fans.

This story has been updated with additional information.