Colombia lost 1-0 to Argentina in the Copa America 2024 final in extra time.
The Copa America 2024 final was delayed an hour and 22 minutes amid a disastrous security situation saw thousands of fans enter Hard Rock Stadium with or without tickets.
Los Cafeteros were the most in-form team of the tournament coming into the night with hopes of winning its first Copa America since its first in 2001.
Colombia played on the front foot from kickoff looking to open the scoring. Despite opportunities in and around Emiliano Martinez's box, Dibu was largely untroubled. The second half took a wild turn when Lionel Messi was substituted off after suffering a non-contact injury. Both teams seemed content to let extra time happen toward the end of regulation, and the strategy, nerves and stress of an international final truly set in.
Los Cafeteros had their moments to end it in regulation and extra time, but sloppy play and tired legs resulted in Giovani Lo Celso to pick out Lautaro Martinez for the winner.
The team will rightly be disappointed given their overall performance on the night, but this team should be proud of what it achieved.
Starters
GK: Camilo Vargas - 7/10 - Vargas was commanding in his box and kept his back line organized. He made a massive save in the first extra time period.
LB: Johan Mojica - 7/10 - Mojica, alongside Arias did well to get up and down the flanks all night. Nearly cost Colombia dearly at the end of stoppage time.
CB: Davinson Sanchez - 6/10 - Nearly got caught out at moments, but ended up getting drawn to Lo Celso before the killer pass for the winner
CB: Carlos Cuesta - 6/10 - Cuesta paired Sanchez on the night and was mostly faultless. He was caught out of position on Lautaro Martinez's game-winning goal.
RB: Santiago Arias - 6/10 - Missed a great opportunity to score in the 48th minute, but he did well starting over the suspended Daniel Munoz.
CDM: Richard Rios - 7/10 - Rios worked hard all night on both sides of the ball next to Lerma.
CDM: Jefferson Lerma - 7/10 - Lerma had a long range attempt go wide in the first half, but his partnership with Rios did well to disrupt Argentina's play.
CAM: Luis Diaz - 5/10 - The Liverpool winger struggled to have a major impact on the game.
CAM: James Rodriguez - 6/10 - James came into the night leading the field with six assist in the tournament. He did well to link play across the front line.
CAM: Jhon Arias - 6/10 - Did well on the night, had a decent chance in the first period of extra time to score but his shot was deflected.
ST: Jhon Cordoba - 6/10 - Cordoba was good on the night holding up play and stretching Argentina's defense.
Substitutes
Rafael Santos Borre - 5/10 - Came on for Cordoba in the 89th minute,
Kevin Castano - 5/10 - Came on for Rios in the 89th minute.
Juan Quintero - 7/10 - Came on at the start of extra time for James Rodriguez. Looked lively in extra time with a tough task of replicating James' output.
Mateus Uribe - 5/10 - Came on in the second half of extra time.
Miguel Borja - 5/10 - Came on for Luis Diaz in extra time, didn't have much time to make a major impact
Jorge Carrascal - 5/10 - Final substitution on the night for Lorenzo
Manager
Nestor Lorenzo - 7/10 - Lorenzo's team was on the front foot for most of the first half. The team looked dangerous with defenders overlapping, James and Diaz occupying dangerous spaces. Argentina absorbed pressure and was able to get a foothold in the game in the first half. Criticism could be directed at waiting too long to make a change in regulation with Colombia's first two changes coming in the 89th minute. Though, his changes in extra time, especially Quintero, helped Colombia keep up the pressure.