MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia is heading to extra time without star Lionel Messi, who has left the match due to a right foot injury.
The score: Argentina 0, Colombia 0 after 90 minutes. The clubs will play two 15-minute periods with hopes for a score. If the game remains tied after extra time, it will be decided by penalties.
Messi exited in the 64th minute, and was seen crying on the sidelines after his departure, unable to help Argentina complete this historic run with another championship while on the field.
Messi sustained a right ankle injury during the first half, and will play in the second half. He tried to chase down and make a kick before the ball went out of bounds. But when Messi planted his right foot, it bent in an awkward position as he made a kick with his left foot.
Messi grimaced in pain and rolled over several times toward the field to be evaluated by trainers. He eventually stood up to walk off on his own power, but not without a visible limp. He eventually walked back onto the pitch, and stayed in the game for the first of the first half.
The Argentina and Colombia game did not begin until 9:22 p.m. ET, well after the original kickoff time of 8 p.m. The match was delayed after fans without tickets breached security gates around 6 p.m., causing fans to be kept outside the stadium before the game.
Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions led by Messi, hopes to make history with its second straight Copa America title.
Colombia − riding a 28-game unbeaten streak into the final − hopes to win its second Copa America final and avenge its last defeat, which came against Argentina in February 2022.
Follow along here as USA TODAY Sports provides live updates from Sunday night’s match in Miami:
Extra time in Copa America final: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
After two scoreless halves, the Copa America final is heading to extra time. The clubs will play two 15-minute periods with hopes for a score. If the game remains tied after extra time, it will be decided by penalties.
Nicolás González header is closest Argentina has gotten to net: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
A nice sequence from Argentina, including this header from Nicolás González just needed a finish. Play continues.
Argentina goal disallowed after offsides: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Nicolás Tagliafico is caught offside on this near-goal attempt from Argentina.
Messi crying on sidelines after exit in Copa America final: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Here’s the sad scene of Messi, crying on the sidelines after his exit.
Lionel Messi leaves Copa America final: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Messi took a fall and immediately called for help from trainers. It appeared Messi was trying to run as fast as he could, but he just tripped over himself.
The captain band is off, his right cleat is removed, and he’s slowly walking off the pitch, emotionally during the Copa America final in the 65th minute.
Messi is covering his face, while crying on the sidelines.
Ángel Di María misses shot toward net: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Ángel Di María, playing in his final match for Argentina, nearly had another big-time goal in a major game. But to no avail.
Santiago Arias misses chance to begin second half: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Colombia had a chance to begin the second half, but was unable to convert.
Messi injury update: He re-enters match after halftime, Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Messi, who injured his right ankle, has re-entered the match as the second half begins.
Nicolás Tagliafico misses header after Messi corner kick: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Messi appears fine, delivering a stellar corner kick. But a header by Nicolás Tagliafico was high over the net just before halftime.
Messi appears to injury right ankle, he stays in the game: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
It appears Lionel Messi has sustained a right ankle injury during the first half of the Copa America final.
Messi tried to chase and hit a ball before it went out of bounds. He planted his right foot, which bent in an awkward position before getting the kick away. Messi grimaced in pain and rolled over several times toward the field to be evaluated by trainers.
Messi eventually stood up to walk off on his own power, but not without a visible limp. He eventually walked back onto the pitch, and stayed in the game.
The injury happened at the 36th minute of the first half, during a scoreless match.
Jefferson Lerma misses shot toward net: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Colombia’s Jefferson Lerma found some space and let one go toward the net. It was just outside the left post, and the outstretched hands of Argentine goalie Dibu Martinez.
Lionel Messi misses shot toward net: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Lionel Messi had an opening and he fired away, but his kick was deflected by Colombian defender Davinson Sánchez just before the 20th minute.
Jhon Córdoba misses shot toward net: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
This shot by Colombia’s Jhon Córdoba nearly resulted in an early lead. So close.
Luis Díaz misses Colombia’s first shot: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Ángel Di María’s tribute before final match with Argentina
Before his final game with Argentina, Ángel Di María’s daughters presented the game ball to him before the match:
Julian Álvarez misses an early touch: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Messi appears ready for Copa America final: Here’s the latest
Well, the stadium is packed and the music has filled the delay. Now, players are being introduced to the crowd.
During pregame warmups, Lionel Messi made this free kick.
Kickoff of match delayed: What time will Copa America final start?
The situation with fans attempting to enter Hard Rock Stadium forced the match to be delayed a half hour.
Kickoff now is slated for 9:15 p.m. ET.
Hard Rock Stadium allows fans to enter, some without tickets
Around 8:11 p.m., police officers backed up and the gates open, allowing fans – with and without tickets scanned – to enter the stadium for the Copa America final.
Fans without tickets for Sunday’s Copa America final climbed fences and ran past security more than an hour before the Argentina-Colombia match at Hard Rock Stadium.
At least seven people were seen by USA TODAY Sports receiving treatment by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue near ramps entering the stadium. The people appeared to be in distress with flushed faces and were given bottles of water while sitting on the ground and along a low wall.
Starting lineups for Argentina and Colombia
Pres. Biden to address Trump assassination attempt before Copa America
Pres. Joe Biden will address the nation shortly before the Copa America final, forcing the broadcast to FS1 to begin the match at 8 p.m.
The game will continue on FOX after Biden’s speech, FOX Sports announced.
Spain wins Euro 2024, who will play in the Finalissima 2025?
Spain won Euro 2024 with a 2-1 victory over England earlier Sunday, and could play the Copa America 2024 winner in the summer of 2025. A date or location is not yet determined.
The last Finalissima, played between Copa and Euro champions, was in 2022 when Argentina beat Italy.
How to watch Argentina vs. Colombia Copa America final on TV
The Argentina and Colombia match will be broadcast on FOX in English, Univision in Spanish.
HOW TO WATCH: See the full slate of Copa America games with a fuboTV subscription
How to live stream Argentina vs. Colombia in Copa America
A live stream can be found on FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports app in English, and on TUDN in Spanish.
Is Messi playing in Copa America final tonight?
Yes, Messi is playing. He is expected to start in tonight’s final, his ninth for the Argentine national team.
What’s on the line for Argentina in Copa America final?
Messi and Argentina could put the final touch on one of the greatest dynasties soccer has ever seen.
Another Copa America title tonight would be Argentina’s fourth major international championship in a three-year span.
Argentina won Copa America 2021. It beat the Euro 2021 champions, Italy, in the 2022 Finalissima two summers ago. Argentina won the Qatar World Cup in 2022.
What’s on the line for Colombia in Copa America final?
Colombia was unable to compete in the Qatar World Cup, so this Copa America has been a significant experience for the national team and the country.
Colombia hopes to win its second Copa America title (2001), and will play in its third Copa America final (1975, 2001).
Argentina vs. Colombia, Copa America final prediction
Argentina 2, Colombia 1: James Rodriguez might manufacture a set piece to get on the board, but Argentina will rely on goals from Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria to win this title like they did their others, behind their elder statesman. Sorry, to my Colombian friends. But this Argentina dynasty isn’t coming to an end tonight. − Safid Deen, Lionel Messi reporter.
Argentina vs. Colombia Copa America final betting odds
Argentina has +110 odds to win during the 90-minute match, while a draw is +190, and a Colombia win is +320, according to BETMGM. To lift the trophy, Argentina has -190 odds, while Colombia has +138.
How long is Colombia’s unbeaten streak?
Colombia has not lost in its last 28 matches. Its last loss was a 1-0 defeat to Argentina in an Olympic qualifying match on Feb. 1, 2022.
Argentina’s record in the last three years
Argentina has lost just three of its last 63 matches. Their last three losses: to Brazil in the Copa America 2019 semifinal; to Saudi Arabia in the 2022 World Cup opener; and to Uruguay in Olympic qualifying last November.
Will it be Messi’s last game with Argentina?
Messi, the 37-year-old Inter Miami star in Major League Soccer, could possibly play his last match in a major tournament for Argentina during the Copa America final. Although Messi has left the door open on playing in World Cup 2026, pending his health and desire to keep playing, this match could be his last in a major tournament if he changes his mind.
Tonight’s match will be the final one in an Argentine jersey for Angel Di Maria, the big-game scorer who has helped Messi lift the international monkey off his back during the club’s recent run of championships.
When will Messi retire? Here’s what he said about retirement
Messi, 37, has left the door open about playing in the 2026 World Cup. Here’s what he’s said earlier this year about when he could potentially retire.
Messi holding Lamine Yamal baby viral photos
It’s surreal to imagine how Messi posed with 17-year-old Spain phenom Lamine Yamal for these photos when Yamal was just a baby. Here’s the story behind the viral photos of Messi and Yamal.
Uruguay vs. Canada, Copa America third-place match result
Luis Suarez, the Inter Miami star and Uruguay’s leading scorer, came to his country’s rescue with a late goal in the final minutes of stoppage time to force a tie and penalty shootout. Suarez also kicked the game-winning penalty kick to help Uruguay beat Canada 2-2 (4-3 on penalties) in the Copa America third-place match.
Canada finished Copa America 2024 in fourth place, but with an outstanding showing ahead of World Cup 2026.
Discover more from PressNewsAgency
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.