Messi, Argentina today celebrated the biggest win ever in football as they beat the Copa America tournament favorite Brazil 1-0. It is a dream cup for Lionel Messi an for his nation Argentina who had to wait 28 long years to win a major tournament.
Argentina won their first major title in 28 years on Saturday and Lionel Messi finally won his first medal in a blue-and-white shirt when an Angel Di Maria goal gave them a 1-0 win over Brazil and a record-equalling 15th Copa America 2021.
Di Maria, startled Brazil defenders with a brilliant run to outwit the goal keeper with a deft loop shot to put the foot ball in Brazil goal por. Chosen for just the second time in the Copa, proved his coach and his captain right by scoring the brilliant opener midway through the first half.
Renan Lodi found himself helpless and just couldn’t stop to cut out a long ball forward from Rodrigo De Paul and Di Maria lobbed the stranded Ederson with aplomb.
Messi finished the tournament’s joint top goal scorer at Copa America 2021
Brazil piled on the pressure in an exciting second half but even with five strikers on the field they could not get an equaliser against an Argentine defence protected by the outstanding Rodrigo De Paul.
“First we have to congratulate our opponents especially for the first half when they neutralised us,” said Brazilian defender Thiago Silva.
“In the second half there was no contest – only one team tried to play football, the other just wasted time as we knew they would. It’s not an excuse, we didn’t do what we had to, principally in the first half.”
Di Maria helps Captain Messi lift his dream Cup, ends 28 years of wait
Argentina’s win was a particular triumph for Barcelona striker Messi, who picked up his first ever title in a blue-and-white shirt after more than a decade of club and individual honours.
The Argentine players surrounded their captain at the final whistle. Goalkeeper Emilian Martinez celebrated what he called a Maracanazo, a remarkable win at the famous Rio stadium.
“I’m speechless,” he said. “I knew my dream would come true, and where better than the Maracanazo and giving the title to the best in the world and fulfilling his dream.”
Messi finished the tournament’s joint top goalscorer with four goals and was elected joint best player along with Neymar.