Copa América Final Delayed Over Crowd Delays

The highly anticipated Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia was delayed by more than an hour on Sunday evening due to crowd control issues at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

The much-awaited Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia was marred by a lengthy delay on Sunday evening, as crowd control issues at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro forced the kickoff to be pushed back by over an hour.

As fans streamed into the stadium, a large number of people attempted to force their way past security barriers, leading to chaotic scenes. Police were forced to intervene, using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds.

Copa América Final Delayed Over Crowd Delays

The delay caused frustration among fans and players alike, who had been eagerly anticipating the match. Argentina captain Lionel Messi was among those who expressed his disappointment, saying that the delay was "unfortunate" and that "the match should have been played on time."

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) issued a statement apologizing for the delay, blaming it on a "lack of organization" by the local authorities. The statement added that CONMEBOL was working with the authorities to ensure that the match could be played "in a safe and orderly manner."

Despite the delay, the match eventually got underway just after 9pm local time. Argentina took the lead in the 7th minute through Rodrigo De Paul, with Angel Di Maria doubling the advantage in the 22nd minute. Colombia pulled a goal back through Luis Diaz in the 66th minute, but Argentina held on to secure a 2-1 victory and their first Copa América title since 1993.

The victory was a special moment for Messi, who had been criticized for his failure to win a major international trophy with Argentina. The Copa América triumph is the first major title of Messi's career with the national team.

The match was also a historic moment for Colombia, who reached the final of the Copa América for the first time since 2001. Despite the defeat, the team's performance in the tournament was a positive sign for the future.

The Copa América final was a highly anticipated event, but the crowd issues that delayed the kickoff cast a shadow over the occasion. CONMEBOL has promised to investigate the incident and ensure that similar problems do not occur in the future.