MIAMI GARDENS, Florida, July 14 (Reuters) - Argentina won a record 16th Copa America title by beating Colombia 1-0 thanks to an extra-time goal from Lautaro Martinez on Sunday after the final was delayed for over an hour due to thousands of ticketless fans trying to get into stadium.
Martinez, who came off the bench in extra time, latched onto a precise through ball from Giovani Lo Celso before lifting his effort over advancing Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas in the 112th minute to spark wild celebrations at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.
Argentina's latest title comes on the back of their triumphs at the 2022 World Cup and 2021 Copa America, and gives eight-times Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi the perfect sendoff in what is likely his last international tournament.
The win, which saw Argentina move ahead of Uruguay after the pair had been tied on 15 Copa titles, marked Angel di Maria's final international match.
Defender Nicolas Otamendi, 36, is also set to end his international career.
"The truth is, this was written, it was this way," 36-year-old Di Maria said. "I dreamed it, I dreamed that I would arrive to the final and win it and retire in this way.
"I have so many beautiful feelings and I am eternally grateful to this generation and today I am leaving in this way with a title."
South American football's governing body CONMEBOL pushed the start time of the match back three times after video on social media showed security scuffling with fans as they ran across the concourses and attempted to breach the gates of the stadium.
A Reuters witness saw several people being ejected from the stadium by security staff at the venue, which will host matches during the 2026 World Cup.
"It was hard because many had their families outside, they didn't know what was going on," Argentina's Cristian Romero told TyC Sports. "It didn't seem like a final, there was a lot of commotion and a lot of concern."
The tournament had already been marred by a number of organisational issues.
Uruguay's players were involved in clashes with Colombian fans earlier this week, while an assistant referee had to be hospitalised after collapsing in hot and humid conditions while officiating a group stage match.
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