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—Messi is raised to the skies after tonight’s win
–Photo: Bruna Prado / TT NEWS AGENCY–
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Argentina wins the Copa America after a tough final against Brazil.
Angel Di Maria scored the only and decisive goal against the rival.
A historic victory for Argentina – and especially for Messi.
Lionel Messi finally got to take home his first major title Argentina. Perhaps the world’s best football player Lionel Messi has never won a major title with his national team – until now.
After the night thriller against arch-rival Brazil, Argentina can call itself South America’s best team. But it was not Messi, but Neymars colleague at PSG, Angel Di Maria who was the big star of the match. Di Maria scored the first, and only goal, in minute 21 after a weak defensive effort from the Brazilian back line.
The match ended 0-1 to Argentina.
Brazil was not allowed to defend the title
Despite the reigning champions Brazil being relatively dominant in the second half and having a number of good chances, it was not enough all the way. Neymar was obviously frustrated by the Argentine defense work that kept him short. The mood was generally irritated, in both teams, and several yellow cards were handed out during the match.
—-Friends Messi and Neymar met during the night in the Copa America final
–Photo: Bruna Prado / TT NEWS AGENCY–
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Maybe was the last chance
When the final whistle was blown, the teammates gathered around Messi and threw him in the air.
This is Messi’s first, and only major title with the national team. Before that he only won the U23 Olympics. To now win the Copa America, in what may very well have been Messi’s last chance at a title with the national team, is a historic victory for him personally.
The next time the Copa America is played, the big star will be 37 years old. This may well have been Messi’s last chance to put the ghosts behind him and finally achieve what so many times before has slipped out of his hands – a senior national team title.
But it’s not just Messi’s day today. A 28-year title drought is now over for Argentina, who last won a major championship in 1993 in the Copa America against Mexico.
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Sportbladet – Allsvenskan
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