Miami Gardens, Fla. – The Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia is in the second half, and star Lionel Messi has pulled out of the match with a right leg injury.
Score: Argentina 0, Colombia 0.
Messi came off in the 64th minute and was seen crying on the sidelines after his exit, unable to help Argentina end this historic run with another championship.
Messi will play the second half after injuring his right ankle during the first half. He tried to chase before the ball went out of bounds. But when Messi planted his right foot, it curled badly as he kicked with his left foot.
Messi grimaced in pain and rolled several times towards the pitch to be evaluated by trainers. He eventually stood up to walk under his own power, but not without a groan. He eventually returned to the pitch and was on the first play of the first half.
The Argentina vs. Colombia game did not start until 9:22 p.m., after the original kickoff time of 8 p.m. The match was delayed after ticketless fans breached the security gates around 6 p.m., causing fans to be parked outside the stadium before the game. .
Messi-led reigning World Cup champions Argentina are hoping to make history by winning the Copa America for the second time in a row.
Colombia – riding a 28-match unbeaten run to the finals – will be hoping to win their second Copa America final and avenge their last loss against Argentina in February 2022.
As USA TODAY Sports provides live coverage of Sunday night’s matchup in Miami, follow along here:
Nicolás González hatter nets for Argentina: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
A good line-up from Argentina, including this header from Nicolas Gonzalez, required a finish. The game continues.
Argentina goal disallowed after offsides: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Nicolas Tagliafico was caught offside in this near miss from Argentina.
Messi cries after exiting Copa America final: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Here’s the sad scene of Messi crying from the sideline after his exit.
Lionel Messi out of Copa America final: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Messi fell down and immediately sought help from the coaches. Messi seemed to try to run as fast as he could, but he tripped himself.
In the 65th minute of the Copa America final, the captain was strapped off, his right cleat dislodged, and he limped off the pitch.
Messi is crying on the sidelines with his face covered.
Angel Di Maria misses the shot towards the net: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Angel Di Maria, playing his final game for Argentina, scored another big goal in a crucial game. But to no avail.
Santiago Arias misses chance to start second half: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Colombia had chances to start the second half, but couldn’t score.
Messi injury update: He re-entered the match after half-time, Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Messi re-entered the match at the start of the second half after suffering a right ankle injury.
Nicolas Tagliafico misses header after Messi corner kick: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Messi looked good as he delivered a stellar corner kick. But a header from Nicolas Tagliafico was high over the net just before half-time.
Messi remains in the game with what appears to be an injury to his right ankle: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Lionel Messi appears to have injured his right ankle during the first half of the Copa America final.
Messi tries to chase a ball and it goes out of bounds. He planted his right foot and it bent in an awkward position before receiving the kick. Messi grimaced in pain and rolled several times towards the pitch to be evaluated by trainers.
Messi eventually stood up to walk under his own power, but not without visible limping. He eventually returned to the pitch and stayed in the game.
Injured in 36Th A minute of the first half during a goalless game.
Jefferson Lerma misses the shot towards the net: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Colombia’s Jefferson Lerma found some space and headed for the net. It was just outside the left post, the outstretched arms of Argentina goalie Dibu Martinez.
Lionel Messi misses the shot towards the net: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Lionel Messi had a start and shot but his kick was deflected by Colombian defender Davinson Sanchez before the 20th minute.
John Córdoba misses the shot towards the net: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
This shot by Colombia’s John Cordoba almost led to an early lead. Very close.
Luis Diaz misses Colombia’s first shot: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Angel Di Maria’s tribute before the final against Argentina
Before his final game with Argentina, Angel Di Maria’s daughters presented him with the game ball before the match:
Julian Alvarez misses an early touch: Argentina 0, Colombia 0
Messi ready for Copa America final: Here’s the latest
Well, the arena is packed and the music fills the delay. Now, the players are introduced to the crowd.
During the pregame warm-ups, Lionel Messi took this free kick.
Game kickoff delay: When will the Copa America final start?
situation with Fans trying to get into the Hard Rock stadium delayed the match for half an hour.
Kickoff is now scheduled for 9:15 PM ET.
Hard Rock Stadium allows fans to enter, some without a ticket
At 8:11 p.m., police officers pulled back and opened the gates, allowing fans — with and without scanned tickets — to enter the stadium for the Copa America final.
Fans without tickets for Sunday’s Copa America final He climbed fences and ran past security more than an hour into the Argentina-Colombia match at Hard Rock Stadium.
At least seven people were seen by USA TODAY Sports being treated by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue near the entrance ramps to the stadium. People appeared distressed with red faces and were offered water bottles on a low wall while sitting on the floor.
Starting lineups for Argentina and Colombia
Pres. Biden addresses Trump assassination attempt before Copa America
Pres. Joe Biden will address the nation shortly before the Copa America final, forcing FS1 to broadcast the match at 8 p.m.
The game will continue on FOX after Biden’s speech, Fox Sports announced.
Spain win Euro 2024, who will play in 2025 final?
The last final between the Copa and Euro champions was in 2022 when Argentina beat Italy.
How to Watch Argentina vs Colombia Copa America Final on TV
The Argentina vs. Colombia match will be broadcast in English on FOX and in Spanish on Univision.
How to watch: Watch the full slate of Copa America games with a fuboTV subscription
How to Live Stream Argentina vs Colombia in Copa America
The live stream can be found in English on FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports app and in Spanish on TUDN.
Is Messi playing in the Copa America final tonight?
Yes, Messi plays. He is expected to start his ninth game for the Argentina national team in tonight’s final.
What chance do Argentina have in the Copa America final?
Messi and Argentina could put the finishing touches on one of the greatest dynasties football has ever seen.
Another Copa America title tonight would be Argentina’s fourth major international championship in the space of three years.
Argentina won the Copa America 2021. It beat Euro 2021 champions Italy in the 2022 Finalissima two summers ago. Argentina won the Qatar World Cup in 2022.
What chance does Colombia have in the Copa America final?
Colombia could not participate in the Qatar World Cup, so this Copa America is a significant experience for the national team and the country.
Colombia hopes to win its second Copa America title (2001) and play in its third Copa America final (1975, 2001).
Argentina vs. Colombia, Copa America Final Prediction
Argentina 2, Colombia 1: James Rodriguez could produce a set piece to secure a place in the group, but Argentina will rely on goals from Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria to clinch the title. Sorry, my Colombian friends. But this Argentine dynasty will not end tonight. – Safit Deen, Lionel Messi Correspondent.
Argentina vs Colombia Copa America Final Betting Odds
Argentina win at 90 minutes odds +110, while draw +190, and Colombia win +320, According to BETMGM. Argentina have -190 chances to win the trophy, while Colombia have +138.
How long is Colombia’s unbeaten streak?
Colombia are unbeaten in their last 28 matches. Their last defeat was a 1–0 loss to Argentina in an Olympic qualifier on 1 February 2022.
Argentina’s record in the last three years
Argentina have lost just three of their last 63 matches. Their last three losses: to Brazil in the Copa America 2019 semi-finals; 2022 World Cup opener for Saudi Arabia; For Uruguay in the Olympic qualifier last November.
Could this be Messi’s last game with Argentina?
Messi, the 37-year-old Inter Miami star in Major League Soccer, may play his last game in a major tournament for Argentina during the Copa America final. While Messi has left the door open to play at the 2026 World Cup, pending his health and desire to continue playing, if he changes his mind, this match could be his last at a major tournament.
Angel Di Maria, the big man who helped take the international monkey off Messi’s back during the club’s recent championship run, will have his final game in the Argentina jersey tonight.
When will Messi retire? Here’s what he had to say about retirement
Messi, 37, has left the door open I will play in the 2026 World Cup. Here’s what he had to say earlier this year about when he might retire.
Messi holds viral photos of Lamine Yamal baby
It’s surreal to imagine how Messi posed with 17-year-old Spaniard Lamin Yamal for these photos when Yamal was a child. Here’s the story behind the viral photos of Messi and Yamal.
Uruguay vs Canada, Copa America third place match result
Inter Miami star and Uruguay forward Luis Suarez saved his country with a late goal in the final minutes of stoppage time to force a tie and a penalty shootout. Suarez also kicked the game-winning penalty kick to help Uruguay defeated Canada 2-2 (4-3 on penalties) in the Copa America third-place match.
Canada finished Copa America 2024 in fourth place, but had a strong showing ahead of World Cup 2026.
