Copa America 2021: Lionel Messi's Argentina beat Brazil to become champions

Lionel Messi finally wins an international tile as Argentina become Copa America 2021 winners for first time since 1993 beating Neymar's Brazil in final.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi celebrates Copa America 2021 title win over Brazil with teammates. (Source: Twitter)

Argentina claimed the Copa America crown for the first time since 1993, defeating Brazil 1-0 in the final at the Maracana in Rio de Janiero in Brazil on Sunday (July 11). Angel Di Maria's strike in the 22nd minute was enough for the Albiceleste to overcome Tite's men and end their run of failures in in major finals.

Although captain Lionel Messi was not at his best tonight, he ends his drought without an international title. The final was far from a classic, but Lionel Scaloni and his men will be elated to end Argentina's 28-year wait for the Copa America trophy.

#CopaAmerica

!Tremendo abrazo entre Lionel Messi y Lionel Scaloni! La figura y el DT

Argentina Brasil #VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/L6zebjB9gH — Copa America (@CopaAmerica) July 11, 2021

Di Maria got the winner midway through the first half when he lobbed Ederson after full back Renan Lodi failed to cut out a long through ball. Argentina’s win was a particular triumph for Barcelona striker Lionel Messi, who picked up his first ever title in a blue and white shirt after more than a decade of club and individual honours.

Messi, who missed a golden chance to score with two minutes remaining, finished the tournament’s joint top goalscorer with four goals and was elected joint best player along with Neymar.

Then Messi had a giant chance one-on-one with Ederson after a fantastic through ball by Rodrigo De Paul but missed it, and Martínez needed to make a monster save to stop Gabigol from scoring the equalizer. Injury time was all about Argentina running out the clock, and they did it successfully. The final whistle came, and so did the tears on Lionel Messi’s face. He has finally done it for his nation, and he caps one of the greatest individual tournament performances in history with a trophy he has long deserved.