SHELF: Lionel Messi is thrown into the air after his first major triumph with Argentina at senior level. Photo: Bruna Prado / AP
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Brazil dominated the Copa America final at times, but the dream attack ended with a goal by Angel Di Maria giving Argentina a 1-0 victory.
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With the exception of the Olympic triumph in 2008, Lionel Messi has never won a major tournament with Argentina, which has often been used against him in discussions about who is the best footballer of all time.
However, Messi has ravaged this year’s Copa America and scored four goals and five assists in the tournament.
– There is no one who has managed in one and the same championship before, said Viasat commentator Petter Veland.
It is also the first time since 1993 that Argentina tops the Copa America.
Lionel Messi had a great opportunity to puncture the match all the way to the end of the settlement, but messed it up in a duel with Ederson.
Despite the waste, it went Argentina’s way. When the whistle blew, Lionel Messi burst into euphoria. He knelt down and buried his face in his hands.
—-BREAK AROUND: There was little doubt that the triumph meant extremely much to Lionel Messi. Photo: RICARDO MORAES / X02675
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The final was played at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night local time. He was also embraced by his former teammate Neymar, a long hug that lasted for almost half a minute.
After 22 minutes, Rodrigo De Paul sent a free kick in high over the penalty box. The PSG star got the ball in the back room after defender Renan Lodi did not get his foot on the pass and he was able to lift the ball over goalkeeper Ederson.
– There are definitely some in the Brazilian defense who are not at work, said Viasat commentator Petter Veland.
—-Angel Di Maria cheers after scoring in the 22nd minute of the Copa America final. Photo: Bruna Prado / AP / NTB
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