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Argentina won the title in extra time. (AFP Photo)
Colombian forward Miguel Borja received a yellow card for bringing Paredes down in the extra time.
The 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia will be remembered for some time to come. And not just because of Lautaro Martinez’s extra-time strike that handed Argentina a record-extending 16th title.
The scoreline remained 0-0 at the end of the regulation time forcing the contest into extra-time. In the 112th minute, Martinez managed to find the back of the net and it proved to be the difference.
However, minutes after the strike, players of the two team nearly came to blows after Colombian forward Miguel Borja brought down Leandro Paredes irking several Argentine players who charged towards him, pulling on his shirt to show their resentment. Fortunately, the referee intervened quickly to calm down the situation that threatened to spin out of control.
Borja was booked for pushing Paredes though.
Long before the final began, chaos ensued at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida as the kick-off was delayed by over 75 minutes. Reports claim fans clashed with the security and the gates to the venue were closed.
And once they were eventually opened, everybody rushed in with claims of no ticket checks. As per news agency AFP, several fans were seen receiving treatment from the paramedics inside the venue.
And then there was eight-time Ballon D’Or winner Lionel Messi sobbing while sitting on the Argentine bench as he was substituted in the second half after aggravating a leg injury.
It was a non-contact injury as Messi twisted his ankle and landed awkwardly on the ground. This was after he was fairly tackled by Santiago Arias in the first half and needed treatment before resuming.
However, the second time was too much for the Argentine captain as he took off this captain’s armband and left the field in frustration.
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