It is Messi’s year as Argentina end their 28-year title drought. It was Di Maria’s 21st minute goal that was the decider. Messi has been brilliant on the night. He had a chance in the dying moments of the match, but could not convert. Argentina looked lethal every time Messi and Di Maria had the ball. They were shaky in midfield and defence, but they held on to deny Neymar and Brazil. Neymay will have

Lionel Messi could not keep a lid over his emotions after the final whistle went off at the Maracana Stadium on Saturday. Messi’s wait for an international title came to an end after five minutes were added after the regular 90 minutes in the Copa America 2021 Final.

It was a match for the ages and the reaction on Messi’s face summed it up. He was on the ground with his hands on his face, then he removes those hands and you can see him crying, literally. Soon, his teammates surround him and the celebration continues.

Messi was also in tears while with Scaloni after the win. His reaction reveals how much the win means for him. He has had to wait for 16 years to win an international title at the senior level for his national side.

63′: Vinicius Junior is on for Brazil. Fred comes off. Argentina too make a substitution. Thagliafico is on for Lo Celso. 

64′: Argentina almost extend their lead. Messi runs into the box with Martinez and Maria flanking him on either sides. He takes a shot, but it is blocked. The ball falls to Di Maria, who tries to chip it, but that too is blocked. Messi was running into a wall there. A pass to Di Maria would have been the better option. 

68′ De Paul goes into the books now. It is Neymar who is brought down again. That is three Argentine players who have been booked now. The other two have been substituted since then. Neymar may not have caused problems in front of goal for Argentina, but his runs in midfield have caused problems for Argentina.

70′: It is Brazil’s time to be booked. De Paul is brought down by Lodi and he goes into the books.

72′: Lucas Pacqueta goes into the book now. He has been clumsy while tackling all night. This time he is booked for an unnecessary push.

76′: Double substitution for Brazil. Pacqueta and Lodi, both on bookings, go off. In come Emerson and Barbosa. It is another attacking change for Brazil. They are running out of time. 

79′: Argentina respond with a triple substitution. Palacios, Gonzales and Pezzella in for Di Maria, Martinez and Romero.

81′: Double booking. Otamendi brings down Neymar with a heavy challenge. Marquinhos retaliates by pushing Otamendi to the ground. Both are booked. It is getting very physical now.

87′: Martinez is up to the task again. Gabi fires a volley on goal following a corner, but Martinez is up to the task.

89′: Montiel goes into the books now. Messi almost scored a minute before. He was one on one with the goalkeeper, but he couldn’t get his shot away. He looks exhausted. The break from Brazil is stopped by Montiel for a rash challenge and he is booked.

90′: 5 agonising minutes added on for Argentina.

Full-time: Argentina are champions of South America. They have beaten Brazil on their turf. Di Maria’s 21st minute goal is the difference. Messi has finally got his hands on an elusive international trophy. He has led from the front and delivered this time