RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Lionel Messi’s Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in Saturday’s Copa America final to secure the national team’s first title in 28 years and the superstar’s first major international trophy.
When the match ended, a tearful Messi was thrown into the air by some of his joyous teammates.
Argentina’s winning goal at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro came in the 22nd minute after Rodrigo de Paul made a long pass to Angel di Maria. The 33-year-old veteran striker counted on some sloppy defending from left-back Renan Lodi to take control and lob it past goalkeeper Ederson.
It was only the third goal Brazil conceded in the tournament. Neymar tried hard with dribbles and passes, but the Selecao barely threatened Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The team of coach Tite had won its previous five matches in the Copa America and scored goals in all of them.
After three Copa America heartbreaks, Leo Messi finally gets his pic.twitter.com/x9bPj7T2lk
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 11, 2021
Nothing but respect between Messi and Neymar
They share a long hug after the Copa America Final pic.twitter.com/7dudMVsF5l
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 11, 2021
Messi’s performance in the final was not as impressive as in previous matches of the tournament, during which he scored four goals and had five assists. He had a clear opportunity in the 88th minute, tried to dribble Ederson, but the Brazilian goalkeeper stopped him.
The title, however, provides the superstar some relief after all the questions throughout his career on his effectiveness playing for the national team.
