Argentina carries Lionel Messi to Mount Olympus

Argentina beat Colombia 1-0, completing a feat that will almost be remembered, writing a magical story. The Argentines can celebrate as much as they want, they are world champions, two-time champions with the United States, and even lost to Italy in the final in June 2022.

Lionel was not the protagonist and even had to sit on the bench to encourage. In the 66th minute, his right ankle could no longer bear it and was forced to leave the field, but his teammates turned his inconsolable crying into pure happiness.

The “10” could barely hold up his legs, but that did not stop him from celebrating with the team in what could be his last match on the continent. He will always remember those uncontrollable tears on the bench, even though the team he commanded showed him that they could do it without him, or that they could do it for him.

Lautaro Martinez was the hero this time, scoring in the 112th minute to put Colombia in trouble in extra time. The Coffee Growers came here riding a 28-game unbeaten streak, but they fell at the worst possible moment.

Everything is going well for Argentina and they have even given Angel Di Maria the farewell he deserved as he heads into his retirement from international football.

Argentina at the football summit

Argentina became the second team in the world after Spain to win the symbolic treble. He won the 2021 America’s Cup, the 2022 Qatar World Cup and the 2024 America’s Cup.

This Sunday he completed a trilogy that sums up an unrivalled process under the guidance of Lionel Scaloni.

Since failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Albiceleste have been a team without direction, having experienced years of setbacks: from winning the Copa America in Ecuador in 1993 to winning the continental championship in Brazil in 2021.

To everyone’s surprise, when the ship was about to sink, an unknown Scaloni appeared, with no experience at a club like DT, and he began to correct the course until winning the first title in 28 years. Better, impossible: in the Maracana against the host Brazil, their eternal rivals.

Then there was the final against Italy in June 2022, and a few months later in December, Messi’s glory at the Qatar World Cup, winning the only and most important title that had missed him.

A 2024 Copa America title would be the icing on the cake for an already legendary generation that has seen icons like Angel Di Maria slowly make their way out the door. Messi could be next.

Colombia is about to usher in a touching glory

Colombia displayed the winning cards, excited about its second continental title, following its domestic title in 2001. He arrived at the Hard Rock Stadium unbeaten in 28 matches, a Colombian record, 25 of which came under his current coach, Argentine Nestor Lorenzo.

The selection process for Caffe is similar to the origin of this Albiceleste. He also appointed a lesser-known coach like Lorenzo, whose great achievement so far is to rescue James Rodriguez, who did not even have a place in his Sao Paulo club.

The 33-year-old James, who was named the tournament’s most valuable player, responded with a goal and six assists, leading a team that displayed excellent football and standout players such as forward Luis Diaz.

However, all the good things the Colombians did were not rewarded. Although they were even dominant at one point in the final, they were unable to score, and their goal in extra time was ineffective.