Jul 11 ,2021: Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in the final match of the 2021 Copa America football tournament held at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
The winning goal was scored by Paris Saint-Germain star Angel Di Maria in the 22nd minute of play on Saturday.
The Saturday win is the first time that Barcelona striker Lionel Messi got a title playing for Argentina’s national team.
The Copa America football matches were postponed last year because of the pandemic.
Argentina’s winning goal at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro came in the 22nd minute after Rodrigo de Paul made a long pass to Ángel di Maria. The 33-year-old veteran striker counted on some sloppy defending from left-back Renan Lodi to take control and lob it past goalkeeper Ederson.
It was only the third goal Brazil conceded in the tournament. Neymar tried hard with dribbles and passes, but the Selecao barely threatened Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The team of coach Tite had won its previous five matches in the Copa America and scored goals in all of them.
Messi’s performance in the final was not as impressive as in previous matches of the tournament, during which he scored four goals and had five assists. He had a clear opportunity in the 88th minute, tried to dribble Ederson, but the Brazilian goalkeeper stopped him.
