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. 

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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.