Messi’s Argentina Beats Brazil 1-0, Wins Copa America Title

Messi’s Argentina Beats Brazil 1-0, Wins Copa America Title
Teammates lift Argentina's Lionel Messi after beating Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America final soccer match at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 10, 2021. Bruna Prado/AP Photo
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RIO DE JANEIRO—Two long droughts ended on Saturday at the Copa America final: Argentina won its first major title since 1993 after a 1–0 win against Brazil. And Lionel Messi finally lifted his first major trophy for the national team, filling in one of the biggest gaps in his decorated career.

Argentina’s winning goal at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro came in the 22nd minute after Rodrigo de Paul made a long pass to Ángel di Maria. The 33-year-old veteran striker counted on some sloppy defending from left-back Renan Lodi to take control and lob it past goalkeeper Ederson.