Lionel Messi won his first trophy with his national team as Angel Di Maria’s goal gave Argentina a 1-0 win over hosts Brazil in the Copa America final on Sunday.
The victory at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium also ended Argentina’s 28-year wait for a major trophy, and it also ended Brazil’s unbeaten home record that stretched back more than 2,500 days.
Argentina had last won a major tournament in 1993 when the great Gabriel Batistuta’s brace gave them a 2-1 win over Mexico in the Copa final in Ecuador.
Argentina’s win was a particular triumph for Barcelona striker Lionel Messi, who picked up his first-ever title in a blue and white shirt after more than a decade of club and individual honours.
Messi finished the tournament’s joint-top goalscorer with four goals and was elected joint-best player along with Neymar.
“It’s a great title, especially for our people. The fans support the team unconditionally. I think they can identify with this team that never gives in,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.
As per reports, people took to the streets in Argentina to celebrate the win, Argentina’s first major title since 1993. Argentine TV celebrated the title as Messi’s.
¡El continente a sus pies! @Argentina levantando en andas a su líder y figura 🔟🇦🇷
🇦🇷 Argentina 🆚 Brasil 🇧🇷#VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/5bEgzwcVqp
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) July 11, 2021
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