Argentina win 2024 Copa America thanks to dramatic victory over Colombia in extra time

Welcome to our live blog of the 2024 Copa America final!

Argentina and Colombia battle it out for the continental glory at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami tonight, and you'll find everything you need to know here, on Bolavip.

Stay with us to get the necessary information and fun facts in the preview before we bring you minute-by-minute updates throughout the game!

The 2024 Copa America final will get underway at 8:00 PM (ET).

There will be many options to watch Argentina vs Colombia in the United States: ViX Premium, Fubo, FOX Network, Univision, TUDN USA.

Unsurprisingly, one of the biggest questions fans make is whether Lionel Messi will play for Argentina vs Colombia today.

Just in case you were wondering, Messi is starting in Miami tonight. According to Argentine national team insider Gaston Edul of TyC Sports, here's Argentina's predicted lineup to play Colombia in the 2024 Copa America final:

Emiliano Martinez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo de Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Angel Di Maria.

Brazilian referee Raphael Claus will officiate tonight's 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia, with fellow countrymen Bruno Pires and Rodrigo Correa as his assistants. VAR will also be in charge of a Brazilian, with Rodolpho Toski reviewing plays in the booth.

• Referee: Raphael Claus (BRA)
• Assistant 1: Bruno Pires (BRA)
• Assistant 2: Rodrigo Correa (BRA)
• 4th official: Juan Benitez (PAR)
• 5th official: Eduardo Cardozo (PAR)
• VAR: Rodolpho Toski (BRA)
• AVAR: Danilo Manis (BRA)

Argentina and Colombia will be playing at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It has been home to the NFL franchise Miami Dolphins since 1987 but the stadium went through huge renovation between 2015 and 2016 though, with the addition of an open-air canopy.

With a 65,300 capacity, the Hard Rock Stadium hosted countless international friendlies in the last few years before being selected as a 2024 Copa America venue. In addition, it will host 2026 World Cup matches, including the third-place game.

The Hard Rock Stadium is also home to other high-profile sporting events, including the Miami Open and the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.

A general view of the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the 2024 Copa America final.

Countless Colombian fans tried to sneak into the 2024 Copa America final, creating some chaotic scenes at the gates of the Hard Rock Stadium.

Following a breach, the entry at the Southwest gate was blocked and it led to a major fan congestion.

A popular question this week had to do with how many will attend the 2024 Copa America final.

A full house is expected at the Hard Rock Stadium, which is tonight's attendance should be nearly 65,300.

But as we've mentioned before, the chaos with fans sneaking into the stadium has created some problems at the gates, with the police trying to intercept the intruders to let those who bought tickets to get in.

Fans who have tickets for the 2024 Copa America final are waiting outside the stadium with the gates closed as the police is reportedly looking for the intruders who sneaked into the Hard Rock Stadium getting past the stewards.

The 2024 Copa America will have a closing ceremony with a halftime show from famous Colombian singer Shakira.

This means the halftime will last a bit longer than 15 minutes, with the teams expected to come back for the second half nearly 20 minutes later. This doesn't sit well with many, especially with the teams in question.

For instance, Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo publicly complained about Shakira's show extending the length of halftime.

Both Argentina and Colombia are already performing warm-up drills at the Hard Rock Stadium.

Kick-off in almost 40 minutes!

Here's Argentina's starting eleven for the 2024 Copa America final against Colombia.

Here's Colombia's lineup for the 2024 Copa America final against Argentina:

Camilo Vargas, Santiago Arias, Davinson Sanchez, Carlos Cuesta, Johan Mojica, Jefferson Lerma, Richard Rios, James Rodriguez, Jhon Arias, Luis Diaz, Jhon Cordoba.

While many eyes are still on Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria is drawing much of the attention as tonight's Copa America final will be his last match with the Argentine national team.

At 36, the winger will retire from international soccer after this tournament. Di Maria boasts an impressive trophy cabinet with Argentina, but will he he get to bid farewell with yet another title?

The Benfica star is definitely enjoying his last moments with La Albiceleste, with Di Maria dedicating a heartfelf message to Messi ahead of his international retirement.

According to Gaston Edul of TyC Sports, the kick-off time of the 2024 Copa America final will be delayed half an hour due to the incidents at the gates.

As we mentioned before, many fans sneaked into the stadium and others who have tickets are now waiting outside the Hard Rock Stadium as the doors are closed.

The 2024 Copa America final will start at 8:30 PM.

Nearly 30,000 are outside the stadium, which still has many empty seats.

With the kick-off being delayed 30 minutes, both Argentina and Colombia stopped their warm-up drills.

The game between Argentina and Colombia hasn't even started and yet it has already been marred by the situation with fans who sneaked into the Hard Rock Stadium, forcing others to wait outside as the gates have been closed.

The 2024 Copa America final kick-off time has been delayed, starting half an hour later than scheduled.

CONMEBOL released a statement in the wake of the incidents at Hard Rock Stadium:

"We would like to inform you that individuals without tickets will not be allowed entry into the stadium.
Only those with purchased tickets will be permitted entry once access is reopened.

We also inform you that the match will be delayed by 30 minutes, starting at 8:30 PM".

Miami-Dade Police release a statement on the situation at the Hard Rock Stadium:

According to Gaston Edul of TyC Sports the Hard Rock Stadium is still at 40% of its capacity.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, an organizational source from the stadium claims the organizers believe a 30% of fake tickets have been sold.

The gates have opened at the Hard Rock Stadium.

The game has been delayed by an extra 15 minutes.

The 2024 Copa America final kick-off will be at 8:45 PM (ET).

A Hard Rock Stadium spokesperson released the following statement:

Gates are open and people are getting in without tickets.

Even though the official kick-off time is 8:45 PM (ET), Gaston Edul of TyC Sports believes the Copa America final will be postponed for the third time. The game will likely start at 9:00 PM.

Gaston Edul of TyC Sports reports the Argentine players will not take the field until they know their families could get in.

Argentina and Colombia are back on the field to warm up for the 2024 Copa America final.

Alejandro Garnacho's family was among the people outside the stadium being unable to get in, with the player's brother complaining on social media.

The 2024 Copa America final will kick off at 9:15 PM (ET).

One more delay to the kick-off time: the game will start at 9:20 PM (ET).

Both Argentina and Colombia are preparing for kick-off.

After some horrible scenes, it looks like the game is finally ready to get underway.

Both Argentina and Colombia are walking out to the field as kick-off draws nearer.

Abel Pintos will sing Argentina's national anthem, while Karol G will perform that of Colombia.

The 2024 Copa America final is underway in Miami.

Messi started a great play but Julian Alvarez couldn't shoot the ball in the best way.

Luis Diaz's effort is stopped by Emiliano Martinez.

Leo Messi becomes the first player to take part in the final of five different Copa Americas.

The Argentine keeper denies a header by Cuesta in the box.

Leo's effort was deflected by Alvarez.

Via Laken Litman of FOX Sports (@LakenLitman on X): "As game goes on, security is actively going into the crowd checking tickets and removing fans. It’s incredibly packed down there. People fanning themselves and parents escorting kids out of the stands."

Jhon Cordoba gets booked for a strong challenge on Lisandro Martinez.

Many wonder what happens if Argentine tie with Colombia tonight.

In the event of a draw in regular time, the 2024 Copa America final will go to extra time. If the score remains level after 120', the winner will be decided on penalties.

Jefferson Lerma tries long range but Martinez gets to deflect the ball with his fingers.

Messi is receiving treatment as he looks in pain.

Messi looks harmed from that contact and it looks like he'll need further assistance. His continuity in the game looks uncertain.

Lautaro Martinez is already warming up.

Rios tries long range but Martinez has no problem stopping that shot.

Argentine NT insider Gaston Edul of TyC Sports reports Messi will wait to get further treatment by the doctors at the break before deciding whether to ask to be subbed off.

Tagliafico header goes above the goal after a cross from Messi.

Santiago Arias was booked for the foul in Colombia.

Argentina and Colombia are still goalless.

Messi will use the break to get further assessment from the doctors to determine whether to come back for the second half.

The halftime will be a bit longer as Shakira will perform a show at the Hard Rock Stadium.

Instead of 15 minutes, the 2024 Copa America halftime is expected to last between 20 and 25'.

The Colombian singer now takes center stage with her halftime show.

Here's another statement from Hard Rock Stadium spokesperson on why fans ended up being allowed into the stadium without tickets (via Safid Deen of USA Today):

“In collaboration with CONMEBOL and law enforcement officers, the decision was made to open the stadium gates for a short period of time to all fans in order to prevent stampedes and serious injury at the perimeter. There was serious concern of fans being crushed in an attempt to enter. Law enforcement and security personnel were immediately deployed throughout the stadium and surrounding area to keep fans as safe as possible in light of this unprecedented situation.

“We urge fans to listen to law enforcement and security personnel throughout the night for the safety of all in attendance.”

The Colombian singer's halftime show is over and the teams will return to the field soon.

Messi is back on the field despite his first-half scare.

Arias' shot goes just wide.

Davinson Sanchez's header in the box goes just above the goal.

Vargas saves a dangerous chance from Di Maria.

Lionel Scaloni fumes at the refs for overlooking a potential penalty.

Alexis Mac Allister gets booked.

Messi tried to play for as long as he could but eventually laid on the ground and asked to be subbed off.

Nicolas Gonzalez will replace Leo.

Nicolas Gonzalez replaces Messi.

According to Gaston Edul of TyC Sports, the Inter Miami star has a muscle injury.

Messi breaks down in tears after asking for the substitution.

Nahuel Molina comes on for Gonzalo Montiel.

Gonzalez finds the net but Tagliafico was offside.

Many are probably wondering how many substitutions are allowed at the 2024 Copa America.

Reminder: teams can make up to five changes in three windows, with a sixth substitution allowed for concussion.

If the game remains level after regular time, the final will go to extra time.

Richard Rios leaves for Kevin Castaño and Rafael Santos Borre replaces Jhon Cordoba.

Four more minutes will be played.

Nicolas Gonzalez had a golden chance in the box but his shot goes to the stands.

The 2024 Copa America final goes to extra time.

Two more periods of 15 minutes will be played.

If the draw persists, the winner will be decided on penalties.

James Rodriguez was subbed off for Juanfer Quintero in Colombia.

The Colombian keeps things level by saving a dangerous shot from Gonzalez.

Lautaro Martinez, Leandro Paredes, and Giovani Lo Celso take the field.

Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, and Alexis Mac Allister go to the bench,

Scaloni can still make one more change.

Only 15 minutes left. If the game remains level, penalties will come into play.

Only 15 minutes to know the winner or if we'll have a penalty shootout.

Three substitutions in Colombia: Luis Diaz out for Miguel Borja, Jhon Arias replaced by Jorge Carrascal and Jefferson Lerma gets subbed off for Mateus Uribe.

The winger is putting the team on his back in his final international match.

Lautaro Martinez gives Argentina the lead!

Lautaro Martinez, who scored his fifth goal in the 2024 Copa America, celebrated with Messi.

Di Maria receives a standing ovation as he leaves the field in tears in his last international match.

Nicolas Otamendi comes on for Argentina.

Argentina are the 2024 Copa America champions thanks to a hard-fought win over Colombia in extra time!

Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in extra time to successfully defend their Copa America crown and you lived every moment of this exciting game here, on Bolavip.

Thanks for staying with us, see you next time!