Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Kick-off delayed due to fan controversy as Lionel Messi eyes treble

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Time for national anthems! It is going to be a thriller today folks! Will it be Messi’s fourth consecutive international trophy, or will it be redemption for James?

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Both teams enter the field! Messi leads Argentina, James leads Colombia! Before entering, the referee spoke to both captains, to ensure that the match would be a clean one!

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Kick-off is at 6:45 AM IST! The Argentine team go back to the dugout and they will be back soon! CAN THE GET BACK-TO-BACK COPAS? WE WILL GET TO KNOW THAT SOON FOLKS!

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: The gates have been opened and fans have been let in without their tickets being scanned! Poor organising by CONMEBOL! THE STANDS ARE PACKED THOUGH! We could see kick-off soon folks!

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Colombia have symbolised chaos in this Copa America, and have played the game like street football. Argentina like dictating the tempo and if Colombia succeed in implementing their chaos, it could be a problem for Messi and Co.

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Kick-off is delayed by 15 minutes more, so it is expected to take place now at 6:15 AM IST!

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Kick-off will start soon! Stay tuned folks! It is going to be a thriller! Kick-off is scheduled for 6:00 AM IST!

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Speaking ahead of the match, Colombia legend Valderrama said, “I see Colombia winning on Sunday. I am optimistic about the national team, because of the process and the results they have been getting, and also because of the way they are playing. The team is unbeaten, is playing well in the Copa, with James (Rodriguez) as the best player in the tournament, so we can dream of being champions because we have a great team.”

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Speaking ahead of the match, Chile legend Ivan Zamorano said, “Scaloni knows them all by heart. Argentina today have a solidity that is foolproof and they have the added bonus of having the best player in the world, which is why they are the big favourites.”

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Kick-off postponed by 30 minutes due to fans entering without tickets! Fans rushed past security and gates which has created a security controversy!

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Diaz will really test Montiel, who is probably Argentina’s main weak link! If Diaz gets 6-7 chances, we could see him scoring a goal atleast! DANGER!

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: It is the same line-up which Argentina used vs Canada. Messi was a nine, with Alvarez/Di Maria on the right-hand side. Enzo will be sitting deep, De Paul and Fernandez will play ahead. The centre-backs have been good, but their wing-backs have struggled! Emi Martinez as usual as been in top form!

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Argentina – Martinez, Montiel, Romero, Martinez, Tagliafico, de Paul, Fernandez, Mac Alister, Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez.

Colombia – Vargas, S. Arias, Cuesta, Sanchez, Mojica, Rios, Lerma, J. Arias, Rodriguez, Diaz, Cordoba.

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Emi Martinez was Argentina’s shootout hero in the World Cup and previous Copa America. He repeat such heroics in the semis, and revealed that he wasn’t ready to go home!

“I told the boys I wasn’t ready to go home. They weren’t either,” he said.

“We are champions of the world and of (South) America, this team deserved to go on. I got a bit carried away by the crowd, because we had the Argentines here and also my family nearby. We didn’t give the game that people wanted to see, but in the end we won.”

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Many fans forced their way into the stadium ahead of kick-off! Hundreds of fans queing for the showpiece between Argentina and Colombia were kept waiting behind entrance barriers, which remained shut more than one hour after they were scheduled to open at 5pm local time. Security staff told AFP that the gates had been kept closed because fans had attempted to force their way into the stadium whenever the gates had been opened.

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Speaking on his teammate’s retirement, Messi said, “Who knows, maybe he’ll score another goal in the final like he did in all the previous ones he’s played in. It would be extraordinary. We always tell him that if everything goes well, we have playoff games coming up. Nevertheless, ‘Fideo’ (Di Maria) has made up his mind and there’s nothing that can change it.”

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Ahead of the match, Scaloni said, “Even though we know it will be his last game, we will always decide first what is best for the team. If he has to play it’s because he has to play, if we decide not to play him it’s because we think differently. We hope that everything goes well and that Angel can retire in the best possible way.”

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Ahead of the match, Lorenzo said, “We need to be the best Colombia, the best version, to beat Argentina, the champions of everything. To win against Argentina we have to be very well prepared, because they are the champions, it will be a very demanding match.”

Argentina vs Colombia, Live Copa America 2024 final: Luis Suarez scored an injury time equaliser as Uruguay defeated Canada 4-3 in penalties, to finish third!

Argentina captain Lionel Messi wants Angel Di Maria to end his international career with a goal as the FIFA World Cup 2022 winners are eyeing more silverware in the Copa America final against Colombia. Di Maria, 36, confirmed his plans to retire from internationals after representing his country for 15 years. Messi expects Di Maria’s name on the scoresheet as he did against Brazil to help Argentina seal the continental title in 2021. Di Maria also scored against France as Messi’s men won the 2022 World Cup final. “Who knows, maybe he’ll score another goal in the final like he did in all the previous ones he’s played in. It would be extraordinary,” Messi said in an interview with Direct TV Sports.