 "Copa America: Argentina emulate Spain with three consecutive major titles")
Argentina clinched their record 16th Copa America title , securing a 1-0 victory over Colombia with an extra-time goal by Lautaro Martinez on Sunday.
The match, which was delayed by an hour due to numerous ticketless fans attempting entry, saw Martinez capitalise on an assist by Giovani Lo Celso to score in the 112th minute, bringing in jubilant scenes at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.
This triumph, following their successes at the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 Copa America, likely concludes captain Lionel Messi ’s international career on a high note, in what may be his final tournament.
In a period of transition to follow, veteran Angel di Maria bid farewell in his last international appearance. Defender Nicolas Otamendi, aged 36, is also poised to draw curtains on his international journey.
By clinching the continental tournament, Argentina joined Spain in completing a hat-trick of major titles. La Roja, winners of Euro 2024 on Sunday night in Berlin, had bagged the 2008 Euros, 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2012 Euros in an era of dominance.
A look at the records created by Argentina with the Copa America title:
- Argentina have now won the most number of Copa America titles (16), ahead of Uruguay (15), Brazil (9), Paraguay, Chile (2)
- Argentina have won consecutive Copa America titles five times (1927-1929, 1945-1946-1947, 1957-1959, 1991-1993, 2021-2024)
- Argentina never trailed in Copa America 2024 posting five victories and a draw from six matches played
- Argentina ended Colombia’s 28-match unbeaten streak going back to 2022. The last team to beat Los Cafeteros was also Argentina
- Lautaro Martinez won the Golden Boot with five goals for Argentina in 221 minutes played out of a possible 570 minutes
- Martinez (5) joins Messi and Juan Roman Riquelme with most goals for Argentina in an edition of Copa America
- Lionel Messi has now won a record 45 trophies for club and country
- Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez played every minute of the 2024 Copa America registering five clean sheets and providing two assists
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