Copa America: The final stone for Lionel Messi’s infinity gauntlet

Six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi clinched his first major senior title with Argentina, 16 years after making his national debut, as the Albiceleste defeated Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America final. This victory ends Argentina’s 28-year trophy drought, but more importantly, it completes the wonderful jigsaw of Messi’s glorious career. 

It was Angel Di Maria’s first-half goal that helped Argentina cross the line. The Paris Saint Germain winger lobbed the ball past Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson in the 22nd minute to give his side the lead. 

Also read: Copa America: With goal in final, Di Maria hopes to bury ghosts of 2014 World Cup

This victory also ends Brazil’s unbeaten home record that stretched back more than 2,500 days.

Argentina had last tasted success at a major tournament in 1993 when the great Gabriel Batistuta’s brace gave them a 2-1 win over Mexico in the Copa final in Ecuador.

It was the first time in six editions playing at home that Brazil had failed to lift the trophy.

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And while 34-year-old Messi’s odyssey has come to an end, Brazil’s Neymar, five years his junior, is still without a major title at international level having missed the Selecao’s win on home soil two years ago through injury.

Argentina edged a brutal and fractious affair thanks to Di Maria’s goal on 22 minutes.

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The 33-year-old winger ran onto Rodrigo De Paul’s sumptuous through ball to lob Brazil goalkeeper Ederson with a first time finish.

Messi could have wrapped up the win two minutes from time but slipped when clean through with only Ederson to beat.