After 28 years of waiting: Argentina triumphs at the Copa America and throws Messi into ecstasy

After 28 years of waiting, Argentina triumphed at the Copa America again! Led by their leader Lionel Messi, the Gauchos won the 1-0 final against Brazil at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. The only goal in the final was scored by Angel Di Maria. In this way, Argentina won the Copa America for the first time since 1993. This is the first significant trophy for the team in the era of Lionel Messi. Brazil knew no loss in an official match since 1950 at the continental level of the Maracana.

Argentina took the lead in the 22nd minute. Rodrigo De Paul with a long diagonal pass found Angel Di Maria, who took advantage of a very blunder by Renan Lodi. The Brazilian defender allowed the ball to pass behind him, and Di Maria was already irretrievably dropped. The Argentine international was alone against Ederson, then technically transferred him, sending the ball into his door.

By the end of the first half, the Argentines could have scored a second goal, but Marcos Acuna and Lionel Messi did not take advantage of the opportunities that presented themselves.

Richardson scored in the 51st minute, but the goal was disallowed due to an ambush.

Three minutes later, Emiliano Martinez made a great save, deflecting a shot by Richardson.

At the end of the match, the Brazilians put a lot of pressure. In the 83rd minute Gabriel Barbosa made a very dangerous shot, but the defender of Argentina managed to clear a little in front of the goal.

Emiliano Martinez made a fantastic save in the 88th minute when he deflected another very dangerous shot by Gabriel Barbosa.

Argentina could have scored a second goal in the 89th minute, but Lionel Messi's shot was blocked at the last minute.

Argentina organized a very good attack in the third minute of added time of the match, when Rodrigo de Paul shot, but Ederson showed his reflex by taking a corner.

Thus, Messi won his first Copa America final, having lost three in 2007, 2015 and 2016.

Argentina equaled the awards with Uruguay, as both teams have 15 trophies and both are now the most titled on the continent.

The success of "Maracana" is the first for Argentina over Brazil as a guest. For the first time, Brazil did not win the Copa America as a host.