Argentina won its second straight Copa America championship, overcoming Lionel Messi's second-half ankle injury to beat Colombia 1-0 on Sunday night on Lautaro Martinez's 112th-minute goal.
Messi appeared to sustain a non-contact injury while running and falling in the 64th minute and covered his face with his hands as he sat on the bench and sobbed.
Martinez later ran to that bench to hug his captain after the goal that propelled Argentina to its record 16th Copa title.
Team Argentina celebrate winning a record 16th Copa America title in Miami, U.S., July 14, 2024. /CFP
In a match that started 1 hour, 22 minutes late because of crowd trouble at Hard Rock Stadium, Argentina won its third straight major title following the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup and matched Spain, which won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships around the 2010 World Cup.
Argentina also stopped Colombia's 28-game unbeaten streak dating to a February 2022 loss to the Albiceleste.
Martinez entered in the 97th minute and scored from Giovani Lo Celso's perfect through pass after Leandro Paredes stripped the ball from a Colombian just short of the center stripe.
Just inside the penalty area, Martinez sent a right-foot shot through the upraised arms of sliding goalkeeper Camilo Vargas for his 29th international goal, his tournament-high fifth.
Argentina's Lautaro Martínez (R) celebrates with Lionel Messi after scoring the lone goal of the Copa America final against Colombia in Miami, U.S., July 14, 2024. /CFP
Appearing to be limping after the final whistle sounded well past midnight, Messi beckoned for his senior teammates to lift the trophy with him: 36-year-old Nicolas Ottamendi and Angel Di Maria, who is retiring from the national team.
"The truth is, it's hard to describe," Di Maria said. "It was written like that. I told the guys last night at dinner that I dreamt it. That's why I said it was my last Copa America. I dreamt we made it to the final and we won it so I could go out this way.
"I'll be always grateful to this generation who gave me everything, helped me win what I always wanted and today, I am leaving like this," Di Maria said. "It could not be better."
Argentina's Angel Di Maria waves as he walks off the field, replaced by Nicolas Otamendi, during the Copa America final against Colombia in Miami, U.S., July 14, 2024. /CFP
Making his 39th and possibly last Copa America appearance at age 37, Messi had one goal in the tournament. He went down after his ankle was stepped on in the first half but remained in the game.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner looked to the bench as soon as he fell to the field in the second half, appearing to know his tournament was over. He took off his right boot as he walked off and slammed it frustration, and his ankle appeared to swell. With his right foot bare, he stood by the bench and raised his arms while teammates ran onto the field when Martinez scored.
Colombia's James Rodriguez won the best player of the tournament for the record six assists he provided despite the final defeat. Argentina's Lautaro Martinez (five goals) and Emiliano Martinez (five clean sheets) won the "Golden Boot" and "Golden Glove" awards.
Earlier on Saturday, Uruguay beat Canada 4-3 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw to finish third in the tournament.