Copa America: Argentina beats Brazil 1-0; Messi wins his 1st major title

Lionel Messi's Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in Sunday'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 Ángel 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.

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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.
 
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.

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The title, however, provides the superstar some relief after all the questions throughout his career on his effectiveness playing for the national team.


WATCH: How Argentina and Messi celebrates after winning Copa America

 

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Argentina vs Brazil final video highlights




PSG and Brazilian star Neymar has to wait for his first major international trophy. He was out with injury in the 2019 Copa America which Brazil won.

The 34-year-old Messi has 10 La Liga titles, 4 UEFA Champions League medals and 6 Ballon d’OR awards. 

Road to final

Brazil started the group stage with 3-0 and 4-0 wins against Venezuela and Peru respectively. They also won the third group game against Colombia and drew the last group match against Ecuador. In the quarter-final, they beat Chile, and defeated Peru 1-0 in the semi-final.

Argentina drew its first match against Chile and won the second match 1-0 against Uruguay. Third group stage match saw them beat Paraguay 1-0, while in the last group game they thrashed Bolivia 4-1. In the quarter-finals, they comfortably beat Ecuador 3-0. A penalty-shootout win over Colombia in the semi-final secured a spot in the final.  

Brazil vs Argentina head-to-head (updated after Copa America 2021 final)

In the Copa America tournament, Argentina have won 16 matches out of a total of 34. Brazil won in 10 matches.