The extra time whistle blew. The Argentine players cheered with joy after winning the 2024 Copa America final. On the other hand, the Colombian players looked down.
On the bench, Lionel Messi smiled broadly, unable to contain his joy. In fact, a few minutes earlier he was crying sadly because he had to leave the field. He was replaced by Nicolas Gonzales in the 66th minute due to an injury.
A moment later, all the Argentine players returned to the field to receive their champion’s medals. Lionel Messi was last in line, becoming the last Argentine player to receive a medal.
Furthermore, Lionel Messi received the most prestigious trophy on the American continent’s football scene. Nicolas Otamendi and Angel Di Maria approached Messi. The three of them then lifted the trophy together.
Television cameras then captured the Argentinian players taking turns lifting the trophy one by one. Occasionally the camera’s eyes turn to Lionel Messi, a player who has a big name and can be compared to the legend Diego Maradona. However, the real hero of the 2024 Copa America tournament is not Messi.
Lautaro Martinez was the deciding factor for Argentina’s victory in the 2024 Copa America final. In the match which took place at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Monday (15/7), the player with back number 22 scored the only goal.
Lautaro Martinez did not start. The striker who plays for Inter Milan only entered the field in extra time in the 97th minute to replace Julian Alvarez.
Fifteen minutes later, Lautaro managed to score after receiving a brilliant through pass from Giovani Lo Celso. This goal in the 112th minute gave Argentina a 1-0 lead over Colombia.
Colombia was unable to reply until the 120th minute ended. And Argentina managed to win the 2024 Copa America, while retaining the championship title.
Argentinian striker Lautaro Martinez (22) reacts after scoring a goal during the final soccer match of the Copa America tournament between Argentina and Colombia at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami, Florida, on July 15, 2024.
During the 2024 Copa America, Lautaro Martinez showed impressive performance. This player, who was born on August 22 1997, scored several important goals which helped Argentina become champions.
The Argentine team is indeed filled with quality players. The players who sit on the bench have the same quality as those who appear as starters.
Lautaro Martinez is one of the players on the bench in this tournament. However, he managed to become the top scorer, including the goal he scored into Colombia’s goal in the final round.
In 6 matches from the group phase to the final round, Lautaro only started twice. For the rest, he entered the field as a substitute.
In the first match of the group phase, Argentina met Canada. Julian Alvarez gave Argentina a 1-0 lead in the 48th minute. The Manchester City striker was withdrawn and replaced by Lautaro Martinez in the 76th minute. Lautaro then added a goal in the 88th minute and closed the match for Argentina to win 2-0.
In the second match, Lautaro was again on the bench when Argentina met Chile. He only came on in the 73rd minute to replace Alvarez, and scored the only goal in the 88th minute.
In the final match of the group phase, Lautaro Martinez appeared from the early minutes. He scored goals in the 47th and 86th minutes, and led Argentina to a 2-0 win over Peru.
Lautaro also started in the quarter-final against Ecuador. In this match, Lautaro did not score and was replaced in the 78th minute by Giovani Lo Celso. Argentina managed to win the match on penalties.
In the semifinals, Lautaro again sat on the bench. In this match against Canada, Argentina won 2-0. Lautaro came on to replace Julian Alvarez in the 78th minute.
Returning to being a reserve player, Lautaro became Argentina’s hero in the top match against Colombia. One goal he scored in extra time made Lautaro Martinez the top scorer in the 2024 Copa America.
Overall, Lautaro Martinez scored 5 goals in the 2024 Copa America. He deserves to be called an unsung hero. Even though he appeared mostly as a substitute, Lautaro was often the winner for Argentina.
Many footballers are not happy if they are not played as starters. There is an opinion that the players who sit on the bench are of lower quality than those who appear from the first minute.
However, this does not apply to Argentina. The Tango team is filled with star players who play for the best clubs in Europe. This makes it easier for the coach, Lionel Scaloni, to implement the best tactics in every match.
Lautaro Martinez understands this. His position, which is often on the bench, does not make him play well. Lautaro is a super-sub, who showed his quality by scoring important goals for Argentina.
ASL
