Argentina, reigning champions of both the World Cup and the Copa América, and Colombia, unbeaten in 28 matches dating back to 2022, face off Sunday in the final of the 2024 Copa América at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The match kicked off about 9:15 p.m. ET after fans rushed the gates and caused a delay to the originally scheduled 8 p.m. start time.
Both teams have returned to the field to continue to warm up for the Copa America final.Argentina vs. Colombia is expected to kickoff at 9:15PM ET.(via @FOXSoccer)pic.twitter.com/w9dROZZkiJ
Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 15, 2024
Colombia’s unbeaten streak continued throughout their run to the final with Los Cafeteros going 2-1-0 in the group stage before beating Brazil on penalties, crushing Panama 5-0, and eliminating Uruguay with a 1-0 win in the semifinals. The last team to beat Colombia? Well, that would be Argentina, whose 1-0 win over Colombia in the 2022 South American World Cup qualifiers was part of the reason they didn’t make it to Qatar that year.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s win helped see them through to the World Cup, which they ultimately won via penalties over France. But it was at the 2021 Copa América when, after 28 barren years, Lionel Messi propelled La Albiceleste to the trophy and on its path of world domination.
Now the two sides meet in a Copa América final for the first time in the tournament’s 108-year history. An Argentina win would secure a record-breaking 16th Copa América trophy while Colombia is looking for just its second championship.
Follow our live blog below for up-to-the-minute updates from the match:
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
You have footage of people collapsing in this sea of people outside, or of cops viciously taking people with credentials down.This isn’t a soccer game or spectacle any more, it’s just a violent mess. Covering this from a stick-to-sports angle is journalistic malpractice.
Jason Anderson (@JasonDCsoccer) July 15, 2024
I’m not in Miami. A lot of good journalists @PaulTenorio, @FelipeCar, many more are.Follow them. Don’t listen to what a broadcaster that has a contract with CONMEBOL is telling you.For a roundup, here’s our frequently-updating story on the chaos: https://t.co/ghE1HMhhLk
Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) July 15, 2024
THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE EMBARRASSMENT! Two years out from hosting a World Cup ️ https://t.co/nXzkNMPtMH
herculez gomez (@herculezg) July 15, 2024
Fox says 9:15pm kickoff for the Copa América final now. Shambolic.It’s on CONMEBOL, but also local organizers and stadium ops at these venues. The whole tournament has been a mess in ways big & small.
Jason Anderson (@JasonDCsoccer) July 15, 2024
Kickoff Update: 9:15pm ET is the new expected kickoff timePlayers have begun to warm up on the field. pic.twitter.com/cYP1tsRWkV
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Both teams out here now to warm up for a second time due to long delay. pic.twitter.com/W4M6Ly3OMj
Laken Litman (@LakenLitman) July 15, 2024
“He {Enzo Fernández} wasn’t the only Argentina player who is dealing with their families outside while they were in the locker room helpless, unable to get them in.”@JennyTaft gives us the latest on the scenes outside ⬇️Kickoff is now set for 8:45PM ET on FOX pic.twitter.com/ddaKATwJdT
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Question now is: How many people without tickets got in, and what kinds of problems might it cause once the match starts? From where I sit, seats filled up in a hurry. Colleague @lizzy_becherano now reporting an additional 15 minute delay. #CopaAmerica2024final
Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) July 15, 2024
Univision caught fans climbing up the Hard Rock Stadium ticket will call tent and police on them immediately like scenes out of a cartoon show pic.twitter.com/TaA7GrbFTn
Douglas Reyes-Ceron (@dreyesceron) July 15, 2024
Multiple reports of people being let in without ticket verification. Fears of further injury from those crowded in lines. Children among them. I have no idea how this game will go on tonight. #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/3Ivt2Ty62E
herculez gomez (@herculezg) July 15, 2024
Kickoff has been pushed back to 8:45PM ET, per @FOXSports. https://t.co/m8AwvrFM8s
Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 15, 2024
An utter disaster in Miami at the Copa America final.Just look at the faces. Listen to the panic.These terrifying scenes via @AztecaDeportes. There are many others. pic.twitter.com/KHQDMhTVDX
Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) July 15, 2024
| The criticism from fans continues following the issues with the police and logistics outside the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami:”THEY CAN’T ORGANIZE A WORLD CUP!” #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/HhrpI8ryXk
CentreGoals. (@centregoals) July 15, 2024
Sadly, not much of a shock to see problems like this once again arising in the Copa America. Issues left and right for the tournament.
Cesar Hernandez (@cesarhfutbol) July 15, 2024
Absolute madness. A tragedy and an embarrassment pic.twitter.com/j2Lsdoc1LU
Luis Miguel Echegaray (@lmechegaray) July 15, 2024
More and more people coming in under the support of their friends, soaked in sweat and stumbling to the medical area to get water and treatment. pic.twitter.com/bMlffJy34q
Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) July 15, 2024
More on the scenes at Hard Rock Stadium before the Copa America final @HenryBushnell https://t.co/i3AImg4YEq
Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 14, 2024
pic.twitter.com/gj5qZ8Av4a
Miami-Dade Police (@MiamiDadePD) July 14, 2024
Not seeing any signs that gates are opening completely any time soon, at least at Southwest Gate. Ppl are being let in in 1s & 2s, especially if they have kids. I asked 1 Colombia fan how scary it was. Too much, he said. Added he wouldnt go to a final again. #CopaAmerica2024
Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) July 14, 2024
“It is madness outside.”@JennyTaft gives us the latest on the scenes outside of Hard Rock Stadium ahead of the Copa América Final after a delay due to fans rushing the gates ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/M3vNJtcCpF
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 14, 2024
Kick off is officially delayed 30 minutes due to gate incidents.. Players have been removed from the field mid warmup. Shakira has a 25 minute half time show .. This is insane. I repeat .. THIS IS A WORLD CUP VENUE ️ #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/cwMUacKkWK
herculez gomez (@herculezg) July 14, 2024
Kickoff for the Copa America final has been pushed to 8:30PM ET.Players from both teams were escorted off the field after fans rushed the gates to get into Hard Rock Stadium. pic.twitter.com/sWeg0U156G
Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 14, 2024
Kickoff of the Copa América Final between Colombia and Argentina has been delayed due to fans rushing the gates at Hard Rock Stadium pic.twitter.com/PlUyKgifys
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 14, 2024
A developing story as crowd troubles have emerged outside of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.@Jennyachiu has the latest on security concerns as fans have breached the gates at the Copa América final. pic.twitter.com/1pdzpIpcLk
Golazo America (@golazo_america) July 14, 2024
Just talked to @jennyachiu who is outside the SW gate at Hard Rock Stadium. Absolutely disastrous scenes with fans stuck outside. Hard to imagine the Copa America Final kicks off on time.
Chris Wittyngham (@ChrisWittyngham) July 14, 2024
Hard Rock Stadium with 45 minutes until kickoff. Most fans are still outside trying to get in. pic.twitter.com/374Xf5WhA4
Laken Litman (@LakenLitman) July 14, 2024
From start to finish, it’s clear CONMEBOL didn’t do what they needed to do to work with the folks on the ground at venues, local PDs, etc. when planning this Copa América. https://t.co/JBoxrkTjpD
Jon Arnold (@ArnoldcommaJon) July 14, 2024
Getting very tense here at Hard Rock Stadium as fans arent being let in via the Southwest gate following a breach. #CopaAmerica2024 pic.twitter.com/ZLL88bl8v7
Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) July 14, 2024
This is a 2026 World Cup Venue. . ️ Regardless of them telling us that CONMEBOL is the oficial organizador of this tournament. Terrible optics. pic.twitter.com/3wC9RRPMYn
herculez gomez (@herculezg) July 14, 2024
Colombia’s lineup for the final pic.twitter.com/hFOqb1Seg5
CONMEBOL Copa América️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) July 14, 2024
Argentina’s starters for the final pic.twitter.com/Z3cIj4CT9Z
CONMEBOL Copa América️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) July 14, 2024
Argentina fans went crazy when the video board showed Messi arriving ️ #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/70l34Uer68
Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 14, 2024
Fans have rushed the gates of Hard Rock Stadium ahead of tonights Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia (via @the_bonnfire) pic.twitter.com/uHJDXturfl
Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 14, 2024
Welcome to Yahoo Sports and our live coverage of the 2024 Copa América final! We’ll be sharing updates, highlights and analysis right here so thank you for joining us.