Chaos and horror consumed the Copa América final prior to kickoff in Miami, where thousands of fans were stuck and increasingly crushed outside Hard Rock Stadium gates as security tried, and apparently failed, to manage the inflow of spectators for Sunday’s game between Argentina and Colombia.
For an extended period of time in the hour before a scheduled 8 p.m. kickoff, all stadium gates were closed. Organizers announced that the match had been delayed until at least 8:30. It eventually began at 9:22.
Fans, meanwhile, were suffering. Children were crying. Multiple people reportedly passed out. Multiple men were bloodied by police. As security refused to let fans enter, the crush toppled a barrier, as kids and parents squealed and screamed in panic.
¡Portazo en la final!Lamentables imágenes en lo que debería de ser una fiesta total de la Copa América.Las autoridades se han visto rebasadas por el número de aficionados que han asistido al #HardRockStadium #FinalDeVerano #LaSensacionDelVerano pic.twitter.com/ZUynVgInzf
TV Azteca Deportes (@AztecaDeportes) July 15, 2024
Around 8:15, with the situation worsening, gates opened, and fans were allowed to enter without scanning their tickets the only apparent solution.
A Hard Rock Stadium spokesperson said in a statement that organizers “communicated and decided to open stadium gates for a short period of time to all fans to prevent stampedes and serious injury at the perimeter.”
Abrieron pic.twitter.com/gNK5V7btAj
Germán Carrara (@GermanCarrara) July 15, 2024
“The gates were then closed once the threat of fans being crushed was alleviated,” the statement continued. “At that time, the venue was at capacity and gates were not re-opened.”
Many ticketed fans, as a result, were barred from the game while many ticketless fans entered, and saw some or all of Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Colombia.
The chaos seemingly began when some un-ticketed fans it’s not clear how many breached at least one main entry gate. The Hard Rock Stadium spokesperson said that, “throughout the afternoon and evening, there were numerous attempts by unruly fans without tickets to overpower security and law enforcement personnel at entry points.”
At various points, they streamed toward the stadium concourse, with police and security personnel chasing after them.
BREAKING: The gates at Hard Rock Stadium have been breached and scores of fans have begun streaming in for the 2024 #CopaAmerica final. Police are scrambling to try and stem the flow of people. pic.twitter.com/fkoMMYGk8K
Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 14, 2024
¡ENTRAN AL PORTAZO! Problemas entre hinchas colombianos y la policía porque se quieren meter por todos lados al ️ Hard Rock para la final de la #CopaAmerica. Niños y mujeres lastimadas pic.twitter.com/WZsWrjx81q
Juan Francisco Rueda (@juanfranrueda_) July 14, 2024
The breach provoked a forceful police response, and then a lockdown of the breached gate, which seemed to exacerbate the chaos. Even a man holding up a credential was brutally tackled.
Continúan los INCIDENTES en el Hard Rock Stadium entre hinchas colombianos y la policía estadounidense️ @Facusantarossa pic.twitter.com/wkCXIHGNkK
Diario Olé (@DiarioOle) July 14, 2024
Authorities responded by eventually closing all stadium gates. The “gates were closed and re-opened strategically in an attempt to allow ticketed guests to enter safely and in a controlled manner,” the stadium spokesperson said.
This, though, left many ticketed fans including, reportedly, family members of multiple players unable to enter, and stuck in a mass of people, sweating in sweltering heat and South Florida humidity.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni later said that some players spent an hour outside the stadium, concerned about those family members. The scenes, he said, were “difficult to understand.”
Alexis Mac Allister’s mother Silvina stated that Alexis had to leave the locker room to assist his family to get them into the Hard Rock stadium. She says “it was inhumane”.pic.twitter.com/ZisP95B0n3
Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) July 15, 2024
A better view from above the Southwest Gate at Hard Rock Stadium. Very concerning having that many people in that small a space. Im told by a Miami-Dade PD officer that all gates into stadium are closed for the time being. #CopaAmerica2024 pic.twitter.com/HkWNFgcmwn
Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) July 14, 2024
Prior to the full closure, for a brief time, authorities were letting fans in one by one, with a dozen officers lining the entryway.
But more still were congregating outside, expecting to enter. Many had paid hundreds, if not thousands of dollars for tickets to the final, the most expensive match of the four-week tournament.
Security was letting in fans one by one before closing the south west gate again & enforcing some sort of lock down due to the security breach. Again, please everyone be careful. pic.twitter.com/dm7IsWP0NF
Lizzy Becherano (@lizzy_becherano) July 14, 2024
Multiple journalists on the scene said they and others were told by police to stop filming the chaos, which will raise all sorts of critical questions about the preparedness of CONMEBOL, the South American soccer confederation in charge of the Copa América, and local organizers in Miami.
The Copa is not the first soccer tournament to struggle with crowd control. But these horrifying scenes four days after a semifinal ended in a player-fan brawl fall in line with the tournament’s wide-ranging disorder.
Videos of Sunday’s disorder began to spread shortly after gates opened, in the 5 p.m. hour.
️ ATENCIÓN Desmanes en la entrada al estadio, MUCHAS personas buscan colarse para vivir el partido, algunos tuvieron éxito. La policía tuvo que intervenir con el uso de la fuerza. ¡ASÍ NO ES! pic.twitter.com/21TBplo2cr
Fútbol colombiano (@Futbolfpc) July 14, 2024
Más escenas de cómo decenas de colombianos lograron colarse sin boleto a la Final de la Copa América. Si la seguridad fue caótica en Charlotte ( vs ), en Miami no pinta mejor. pic.twitter.com/BZ9jWKrc0y
Rafael Ramos (@RafaeIRamosV) July 14, 2024
An image of the aftermath showed destruction around an escalator at a stadium entrance.
The 72 Club entrance at Hard Rock Stadium tonight..Barbaric and unacceptable! pic.twitter.com/jDl3y3vgAr
Geo Milian (@GeoMilian) July 15, 2024
The Miami-Dade Police Department later said in a statement that there had been “several incidents prior to the gates opening,” which had “been a result of the unruly behavior of fans trying to access the stadium.”
pic.twitter.com/gj5qZ8Av4a
Miami-Dade Police (@MiamiDadePD) July 14, 2024
CONMEBOL released a statement warning fans that those “who do not have tickets will not be able to enter the stadium.” While that statement rang hollow, fans who did have tickets were also unable to enter the stadium:
El testimonio de los argentinos con entradas que aún no pueden ingresar al Hard Rock Stadium. pic.twitter.com/o2wxDmaswn
Corta (@somoscorta) July 15, 2024
Fans were also apparently resorting to unusual means to gain entry into the venue. Video posted to social media showed people attempting to climb through the vents to get in.
There appear to be people crawling through the Hard Rock Stadium vents at the Copa América finalpic.twitter.com/h1XAr6tU4E
Front Office Sports (@FOS) July 15, 2024
Additionally, fans weren’t the only ones having difficulty getting into the stadium. CONCACAF staff, credentialed journalists and other personnel working the match in official capacities are also still outside the gates. Some were never allowed to enter.
“We understand there are disappointed ticket holders who were not able to enter the stadium after the perimeter was closed,” the stadium spokesperson said in a statement. “We will work in partnership with CONMEBOL to address those individual concerns.”
It’s unclear how many fans ultimately did get in. Hard Rock Stadium holds roughly 65,000. According to reports, some fans were arriving at their purchased seats to find other fans already in them.
112′ – Lautaro Martínez finds the net with an assist from Giovani Lo Celso.
ARGENTINA BACK-TO-BACK #COPAAMERICA CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/smdLU2vBvZ
Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 15, 2024
Back-to-back-to-back international trophies for Lionel Messi and Argentina pic.twitter.com/x3w20EVXMJ
OneFootball (@OneFootball) July 15, 2024
It’s over. Argentina goes back-to-back in Copa America with a 1-0 win over Colombia.
ARGENTINA TAKES THE LEAD IN THE 112TH MINUTE Lautaro Martínez does it again pic.twitter.com/i2p4e5Li8U
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
We have a goal!. It’s Lautaro Martinez in the 112th minute to give Argentina the lead!
It’s 0-0 through the first 15 minutes of extra time. Both teams are gassed. Will they play for penalties or will someone keep pressing for a goal>
Both teams are absolutely exhausted at the moment.
Argentina has looked the more optimistic side so far in extra time.
Lautaro Martínez enters the match for Argentina pic.twitter.com/SSDY3BairG
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
me when I saw that closeup of Messis swollen ankle: pic.twitter.com/UDxicg0F9m
The Cooligans (@SoccerCooligans) July 15, 2024
Yikes
Messi’s swollen ankle pic.twitter.com/dtZ1mQUogV
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Players completely gassed. And as James faded (logical), Colombias play started to dwindle.Juanfer Quintero was about to make his cameo before regulation whistle.Mojica and Arias receiving muscular treatment. Colombias fullbacks also look like their running on last drops
Nico Cantor (@Nicocantor1) July 15, 2024
It’s time for 30 more minutes of soccer. It’s 0-0 after 90 minutes as Lionel Messi sits dejected on the Argentina bench.
As we’re in the 80th minute, neither team is any closer to a go-ahead goal. Could we be headed to extra time? Remember, the Copa America final does not go straight to penalty kicks.
Argentina thinks it has a go-ahead goal in the 75th minute … but it’s called off for offside.
Lionel Messi leaves the pitch in tears as his time in the Copa América final us cut short through injury pic.twitter.com/15bB6nn53T
OneFootball (@OneFootball) July 15, 2024
Messi has given his country so much and is in absolute tears not to be on the field to provide Argentina with just one more win. Lets hope its not severe. Legend #Messi pic.twitter.com/IPkrLuH6FX
herculez gomez (@herculezg) July 15, 2024
A closer look at Messi’s ankle wrapped up in ice pic.twitter.com/niXeh4VGBo
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Messi is in tears as he is subbed off due to injury pic.twitter.com/t0l3OLLuWf
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Lionel Messi is in tears on the Argentina bench.
Messi goes down in pain here pic.twitter.com/dsg8f7j8mz
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Messi crumpled to the ground chasing the ball and immediately looked to the bench. He doesn’t have his shoe on his right foot and the captain’s armband has come off. The night is over for Lionel Messi in the 65th minute.
ALMOST!!Ángel Di María with a massive chance here but is denied pic.twitter.com/GBMugxw2u1
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Another dangerous chance for Colombia, but heads it over the net pic.twitter.com/w5a60BZaRN
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Argentina is ratcheting up the pressure on Colombia as we approach the 60th minute. Still 0-0.
SO CLOSEArgentina with a dangerous chance early in the second half pic.twitter.com/mulo6jWoDO
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
WHAT A HITArias with a huge chance for Colombia pic.twitter.com/54YqwHWkMr
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
We’re back after the Shakira concert and the first best chance of the second half goes to Colombia’s Santiago Arias. He flew it wide of the post on the left.
During halftime, stadium officials commented on the situation through a spokesperson, via USA Today’s Safid Deen.
NEW statement from Hard Rock Stadium spokesperson on allowing fans to enter Copa final without tickets scanned: In collaboration with CONMEBOL and law enforcement officers, the decision was made to open the stadium gates for a short period of time to all fans in order to
Safid Deen (@Safid_Deen) July 15, 2024
“In collaboration with CONMEBOL and law enforcement officers, the decision was made to open the stadium gates for a short period of time to all fans in order to prevent stampedes and serious injury at the perimeter,” said the statement.
It’s halftime and it’s 0-0.
Remember, halftime is about 25 minutes tonight thanks to a Shakira concert. That could be good news for a limping Lionel Messi. His stride hasn’t been right for the past 12 minutes or so.
Santiago Arias receives a yellow for this challenge pic.twitter.com/AKoz6g52ub
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Don’t look at us, say CONCACAF staff. CONMEBOL is in charge of match day operations and security.
“Match day ops, security, the physical running of the tournament is 100% CONMEBOL,” per Concacaf. https://t.co/ItGHTNBp4x
Felipe Cárdenas (@FelipeCar) July 15, 2024
Messi is back on the field after briefly exiting due to injury pic.twitter.com/xkljRfbjUB
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Messi is back on the field. Scare averted. He was complaining about his right ankle in a challenge that looked more painful for his left ankle.
The gates are open at Hard Rock Stadium and the fans who couldn’t get in can now gain entry. However, it’s not certain that some of the people going in even have tickets at this point, as The Athletic’s Felipe Cárdenas observes:
The Hard Rock Stadium gates are open. This has been utter chaos. #CopaAmérica2024 pic.twitter.com/0kDdY2yXG3
Felipe Cárdenas (@FelipeCar) July 15, 2024
As you can see, people are just pouring into the venue.
Another look at the play that caused Messi to go down ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/K9S0TZ7F0S
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Lionel Messi is down on the ground and seems to be in some pain after he rushed to the end line in a futile attempt to get a cross off in front of a tackle by Santiago Arias.
Messi rolls around in pain after some heavy contact pic.twitter.com/Ng6Fd6n6u5
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Colombia looks the better side through the first 33 minutes. They haven’t been able to convert any chances so far, but this is far from an Argentina walkover.
Jhon Córdoba receives a yellow for this challenge pic.twitter.com/4PP9ytHnL1
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Messi with the chance for Argentina pic.twitter.com/CFzwahhP4Q
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
The audio and video appeared to be synced back up.
By the way, it’s still 0-0 in the 20th minute.
The chaos outside Hard Rock Stadium doesn’t appear to be over. Video was posted to social media of fans continuing to try and get into the venue within the past half-hour, even climbing into vents to gain entry.
There appear to be people crawling through the Hard Rock Stadium vents at the Copa América finalpic.twitter.com/h1XAr6tU4E
Front Office Sports (@FOS) July 15, 2024
Fox’s audio appears to be about 5 seconds ahead of the visuals right now. It’s very disconcerting
SO CLOSEColombia just inches from taking an early lead here pic.twitter.com/iMPmXSPXub
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Whew, Colombia has been quick on its attacks through the first seven minutes. Argentina has found itself on the back foot multiple times already.
After the chaos of the last few hours at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, the Copa America final is set to start. Let’s go. This should be a fantastic game.
Scenes inside the stadium at the moment. The stands look crowded. pic.twitter.com/UBVGoBtiWR
Lizzy Becherano (@lizzy_becherano) July 15, 2024
The Univision broadcast is estimated around 7,000 extra people without tickets including the 65,000 that this stadium can fit are in the stadium. #CopaAmerica
Favian Renkel (@FavianRenkel) July 15, 2024