Argentina claimed its third straight major title with an extra-time victory over Colombia in Miami on Sunday, as a tearful Lionel Messi likely said goodbye to international soccer in a Copa América final delayed by crowd trouble.
Forward Lautaro Martinez, on as a substitute, hit the winner deep into extra time to claim a 1-0 victory for the world champions that ended Colombia’s 28-match unbeaten run and brought Argentina a record 16th Copa América crown.
It came after a hard-fought game that saw Argentina captain Messi, 37, substituted in the second half with an apparent ankle injury in what is likely to be his last game at a major international tournament.
Argentine captain Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after an apparent ankle injury during the Copa America final against Colombia on July 14, 2024. Juan Mabromata/AFP/Getty Images
The soccer legend was visibly emotional as he watched the game unfold from the bench while nursing his swollen right ankle.
But the tears turned to cheers at the final whistle when a hobbling Messi embraced his teammates and coaches with a huge smile before lifting the trophy as jubilant Argentine fans serenaded the champions.
The scenes of celebration were the culmination of a chaotic night in Florida, where kick-off at the sold-out 65,300-capacity Hard Rock Stadium was delayed for more than an hour after “thousands of fans without tickets attempted to forcibly enter the stadium,” according to a stadium spokesperson.
A visibly emotional Lionel Messi watches the game from the bench after he came off injured. Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Photos and video from outside the stadium showed massive overcrowding, with visibly distressed women and children among thousands of fans stuck outside the gates. At least one photo showed fans falling on top of each other at an overturned crush barrier.
Video from CNN affiliate WSVN also showed some fans climbing the stadium walls in an attempt to gain entry.
It is unclear if any fans or security personnel were injured.
Fans try to enter the Copa América 2024 final between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium on July 14, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
The gates were later reopened “for a short period of time to all fans in order to prevent stampedes and serious injury at the perimeter,” the stadium spokesperson said in an update.
“There was serious concern of fans being crushed in an attempt to enter. Law enforcement and security personnel were immediately deployed throughout the stadium and surrounding area to keep fans as safe as possible in light of this unprecedented situation,” the update said.
Young Argentina fans outside the stadium before the Copa América final. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
The Miami-Dade Police Department said several incidents took place as a “result of unruly behavior and fans trying to access the stadium.”
CNN has reached out to the police for more information.
In a joint statement, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and chief public safety officer James Reyes said they were “outraged by the unprecedented events” and authorities would investigate what led to the chaos.
“Let’s be clear: This situation should never have taken place and cannot happen again,” the statement said.
The scenes are also likely to cause alarm at soccer’s world governing body FIFA, which has approved the Hard Rock Stadium as a host venue for the 2026 World Cup. The Copa América is organized by CONMEBOL, the South American soccer confederation.
Chaotic scenes as Colombia and Argentina fans try to pass the gates to watch the Copa América final on July 14, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
The disorder in Miami on Sunday comes after Colombia’s semifinal win over Uruguay in Charlotte, North Carolina, was marred by unsavory scenes.
Tempers flared Wednesday after a testy match, when players from both squads clashed on the field before live television pictures showed Uruguayan players entering the stands and scuffling with fans.