Jamie Carragher believes Gareth Southgate should remain in charge of England despite their Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain. 

Southgate led England to back-to-back European Championship finals, but suffered the same outcome in both as the Three Lions' wait for an international honour goes on. 

Under his tenure, England have reached more major tournament finals in four attempts (two) than they did in their first 23 appearances at the World Cup and Euros (one). 

But the loss saw Southgate become the first manager in European Championship history to end on the losing side in two finals in what may be his final game in charge of the Three Lions. 

But for much of England's time in Germany, Southgate has come under fire for his defensive approach, though only Walter Winterbottom (383) and Alf Ramsey (224) have overseen more England goals than his 213.

It remains to be seen whether Southgate will continue in his role with the Three Lions moving forward, but Carragher insists he is the right man for the job. 

"I'd like Gareth Southgate to stay, but I'd understand if he walks away. You think of the criticism he gets, it's way over the top," Carragher told Sky Sports. 

"Who would want to take the England job? Considering you have to go and win the World Cup or next Euros to be deemed a success.

"We aren't a nation that wins trophies, we aren't Brazil. We're not a team with a history - yes, we want to change that.

"But I can't see many managers licking their lips and saying 'oh I'd like to take this on'.

"The top managers in the game are managing in the Champions League, that's where they want to be," Carragher continued. 

"International football is about the players, you can't go and buy players for your country, you have to work with what you've got.

"Maybe a different manager could get more out of this group but you would have to win a tournament - something we've done once in about 100 years.

"The best managers don't manage at international level. The Spain manager is a perfect example, most people would never have heard of him before this tournament. 

"The problem Southgate has got, is people see him as an FA guy with no background of being successful or winning things.

"The England job is not the ultimate. The top jobs are in the Premier League - that's where the money is.

"Southgate knows international football, he's brilliant with the media, he knows the players - I'm not quite sure who this manager is that everyone is crying out for."

Harry Kane has penned an emotional message to England supporters following their Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain on Sunday. 

Kane captained his country to back-to-back appearances in the showpiece fixture at the European Championships, but experienced the same outcome as he did at Wembley three years ago in Berlin. 

Nico Williams had given La Roja the lead two minutes after the restart, only for Cole Palmer to level with England's fastsest ever goal from a substitute at the Euros.

But it proved in vain as Mikel Oyarzabal netted his fifth conescutive goal from the bench late on to secure a record fourth title for Spain. 

England became the first nation in European Championship history to lose consecutive finals, losing to Italy at Euro 2020 and Luis de la Fuente's side this time around.

Despite sharing the Golden Boot with three goals, Kane endured an underwhelming tournament and was replaced on the hour-mark in the final by Ollie Watkins. 

In the 181 minutes he played across both the Euro 2020 and 2024 finals, Kane had just one shot, one touch in the opposition box and had just 58 touches of the ball.

The Bayern Munich striker's wait for a first trophy in his professional career goes on, having been a part of the Bundesliga club's first season without a trophy in 11 years. 

Kane expressed his dissapointment of losing another major tournament final, posting to X a tribute to his teammates and England fans for their support in Germany. 

It read: "Heartbroken we couldn’t achieve what we worked so hard to. It was a long tough tournament and I’m so proud of the boys and staff for getting to the final.

"Ultimately we fell short of our target and will have to live with that but as we always do we will pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and be ready to fight again in an England shirt.

"Thank you to all the fans that believed in us and supported us to the very end!"

Thomas Muller has retired from international football following the end of Euro 2024, having represented Germany 131 times in 14 years.

Muller played a minor role at Germany's home tournament, coming off the bench for a total of 58 minutes in their group-stage win over Scotland and their quarter-final defeat to Spain.

The Bayern Munich legend, who turns 35 in September, scored 45 times for his country, winning the Golden Boot at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Four years later, Muller netted five times as Germany won the 2014 World Cup, including a group-stage hat-trick versus Portugal and a goal in Die Nationalelf's memorable 7-1 semi-final rout of hosts Brazil.

One day after Spain's final victory over England brought the curtain down on Euro 2024, Muller took to social media to announce the end of his international career.

Alongside a video displaying his best moments in a Germany shirt, Muller wrote: "Hello, thank you very much for your fantastic support during my time with Germany."

The German Football Association (DFB) also posted a montage of Muller's best moments on X, alongside the caption: "Unique on and off the pitch! We will miss you… Thank you for everything!"

Muller is the second Germany great to exit the international arena in the wake of Euro 2024, with Toni Kroos retiring from all forms of football at the tournament's conclusion.

Rory McIlroy is hoping to get his putter to "cooperate" at The Open Championship this week after two close-range misses cost him at the recent U.S. Open.

McIlroy was in contention to end his 10-year major drought at Pinehurst last month, only to miss two putts from inside four feet on the last three holes of his final round.

Those missed opportunities allowed Bryson DeChambeau to edge him out by one shot and claim his second U.S. Open title, having previously triumphed in 2020.

McIlroy finished in a share of fourth at the Scottish Open last week, four shots behind winner Robert MacIntyre, as he again struggled on the greens.

Speaking after the conclusion of his final round at The Renaissance Club, the world number two said getting his putting game into shape had been his main aim for the week.

"The reason that I like to play the week before the majors is to knock a little bit of rust off and try to get sharp, and I feel like I've done that this week," McIlroy told the PGA Tour website.

"If I can get the putter to cooperate and get the speed of the greens down... I feel like I'll be in a really good spot."

Reflecting on his overall showing, McIlroy added: "I felt like the ball-striking was there pretty much every day.

"There were a few scrappy bits here and there, but overall, it was a good week to see where my game is heading into next week, especially on the back of three weeks off.

"Pleased with the week with one eye on trying to defend here, but obviously an eye on trying to get prepared for Troon as well."

Spain are Euro 2024 champions.

La Roja got the job done on Sunday in Berlin, with Mikel Oyarzabal's late effort seeing off England in a 2-1 victory.

But with the tournament now done and dusted, which teams and players really stood out and, conversely, which ones disappointed?

Here, with the help of Opta data, we take a look.

THE TOPS

Spain

An obvious one, but where else to start but with the champions? La Roja crashed out of the 2022 World Cup, losing to Morocco on penalties, but what Luis de la Fuente has done since replacing Luis Enrique is outstanding.

While Luis Enrique had a possession obsession. De la Fuente has added a direct aspect to that possession-based build-up. Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal (more on him to come) were fantastic, while Rodri and Fabian Ruiz dovetailed brilliantly in midfield.

Dani Olmo surely put himself into the shop window for Europe's elite with some superb individual displays, first from the bench and then as a starter. He shared the Golden Boot, scoring three goals.

In defence, Marc Cucurella was picked ahead of Bayer Leverkusen's excellent Alejandro Grimaldo, but more than repaid De la Fuente's faith with some tenacious performances, while he then teed up Oyazarbal's winner in the final.

Spain were simply the best team at this tournament, winning all seven of their matches without needing penalties.

Since the 2002 Champions League final, Spanish teams and the Spanish national team have played in 23 major finals (Champions League, UEFA Cup, Europa League, World Cup, European Championship) against non-Spanish teams and won the trophy on all 23 occasions.

La Roja are now the first team to win the Euros on four occasions, too. Vamos!

Lamine Yamal 

A special word for Williams, who became the second-youngest player to score in a Euros final, but Yamal was the star of the show.

Having turned 17 on Saturday, Yamal is now the youngest player to appear in a Euros or World Cup final, surpassing Pele's record from 1958.

The Barcelona winger curled in a sensational equaliser against France in the last four to become the youngest player to score at the Euros, while he also supplied four assists throughout the tournament.

He is the first Spain player to register four assists in a single European Championship. It is also the joint most any player has ever assisted at a Euros that Opta has on record (from 1980 onwards).

This kid is special.

Niclas Fullkrug

Julian Nagelsmann's free-flowing, attacking football caught the eye as the host nation impressed, and German football looks to have a bright future following a few years in the wilderness. But for all the flair of youngsters Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, and the neat and tidy build-up play, Germany were arguably more potent when they had a classic number nine on the pitch.

Fullkrug was that man, coming on from the bench to score twice, including a last-gasp equaliser against Switzerland in the group stage that ultimately landed Germany in the tougher half of the draw, while he also went agonisingly close to sending the tie against Spain to penalties.

Fresh from helping Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final, Fullkrug has now scored seven goals under Nagelsmann for Germany, more than any other player.

The main debate is probably whether he should be leading the line from the off, rather than having to settle for a super-sub role, given that of any player to score at least twice at the tournament, Fullkrug had the best minutes per goal ratio (80.5).

Giorgi Mamardashvili

Mamardashvili actually conceded more goals at Euro 2024 than any other goalkeeper (eight), but it is worth noting that four of those came in the last 16 against Spain.

And Georgia's shot-stopper deserves his place on this list of the standout performers.

After a fantastic season in LaLiga with Valencia, Mamardashvili finished as the goalkeeper with the most goals prevented (4.67) based on Opta's expected goals on target (xGoT) conceded model.

Mamardashvili made 30 saves in total, with a save percentage of 78.95%. Could he now be in for a big move ahead of next season?

Turkiye

It came three years later than many expected, but Turkiye - supposedly dark horses at Euro 2020 - finally impressed this time around.

Vincenzo Montella gave youth a chance in Germany, where Turkiye were buoyed by their fanatical support, giving six starts to teenagers – three for Kenan Yildiz and three for Arda Guler – a joint-record in a single edition of the finals, along with Spain at Euro 2020.

Guler was a standout performer. He became one of only three teenagers to both score and assist a goal at a single Euros, after Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo (both at Euro 2004).

The Real Madrid youngster provided his second assist as Turkiye came unstuck against the Dutch in the quarters; there had been just two occasions on record (since 1968) of a teenager providing multiple assists at a single tournament in each of the 14 previous editions combined (Enzo Scifo 1984, Ronaldo 2004).

Ultimately, the Netherlands had too much for Turkiye, but their last-16 defeat of Austria and Montella's front-foot approach saw them win admirers, and make up somewhat for losing all of their matches at Euro 2020.

THE FLOPS

France

Didier Deschamps is the most successful French coach in terms of wins - indeed, Les Bleus' victory over Austria on matchday one meant he brought up a century of victories.

But it is fair to say France, World Cup runners-up in 2022, did not impress in Germany. Indeed, it was not until the semi-finals that one of their players even managed to score a goal from open play, with their strikes before then having come via two own goals and a Kylian Mbappe penalty.

Mbappe did break his Euros duck with that successfully converted spot-kick against Poland, but the broken nose he suffered in the opening game seemed to knock France's focus, and they never got back on track.

And their 2-1 loss to Spain in that thrilling semi-final showed that a team cannot just bundle its way through a tournament without playing well; eventually, it will catch up with you.

The pre-tournament favourites could point to some bad fortune, as they did record the fourth-highest non-penalty xG figure of any team at Euro 2024 (8.38), but Deschamps' team looked short of ideas at times, with Antoine Griezmann also struggling to wield his usual influence.

Italy

The holders were hardly well fancied ahead of Euro 2024, but it really was a forgettable attempt at defending their title from Italy. The Azzurri fell behind to the earliest goal in Euros history, after just 23 seconds, in their opening match against Albania, and while they came back to win that match, it was the only triumph they managed.

Indeed, Italy were heading out until Mattia Zaccagni curled home in the 97th minute against Croatia, sealing a point that sent them through, but they had been comfortably beaten by Spain and subsequently capitulated without much of a fight against Switzerland in the last 16.

Luciano Spalletti only took over in September 2023 after Roberto Mancini's sudden departure, but there's plenty of work for the former Napoli boss to do.

Cristiano Ronaldo

The Euros' record goalscorer could not add to his tally, not that it was down to a lack of trying. Indeed, Ronaldo had 23 shots without scoring at Euro 2024, with only another Portuguese great, Deco, having more attempts without registering at least one goal in a single edition of the Euros (24 at Euro 2004).

This was surely Ronaldo's final Euros. He has played at six of them, becoming the only player to do so, but it is time to bow out.

Portugal flattered to deceive the whole way through, one emphatic win over Turkiye aside, and never got back on track after losing 2-0 to Georgia at the end of the group stage. Roberto Martinez's team staggered past Slovenia on penalties, before ultimately losing by the same method to France.

Now, it should be time for Ronaldo, who was the biggest expected goals underperformer at the tournament, failing to score from 3.6 xG, to pass the baton over to the next generation. But will he want one more shot at the World Cup?

Harry Kane

Unlike Ronaldo, Kane did score. Indeed, the England captain ended up sharing the Golden Boot, as one of six players with three goals to his name.

However, that does not wholly tell the story of what was a frustrating tournament for the 30-year-old.

Kane was taken off 60 minutes into the final, having also gone off in the semi-final and quarter-final when England were level.

Across his seven appearances, he had just 27 touches in the opposition box (3.8 per game). Indeed, a startling statistic for England fans is that, across the last two Euros finals, Kane had just one touch in the opponents' area.

Scotland

Going up against the hosts in the opening game was never going to be easy, but that 5-1 hammering in Munich set the tone for a dismal tournament for Scotland.

Steve Clarke's team had peaked in qualifying, and though an admirable performance in a 1-1 draw with Switzerland gave them some hope, they came unstuck at the death against Hungary.

They exited the competition having had just 17 shots, nine fewer than any other team, and mustering an xG of just 0.95, the lowest figure in the competition.

Romelu Lukaku

It was another tournament to forget for Belgium, and one has to wonder why Domenico Tedesco's team were so lacklustre against Ukraine in their final group game, when a win could have ensured they would fall into the easier half of the draw (albeit they would have faced the Netherlands, rather than France, in the last 16).

But matters might have been different had Lukaku had his shooting boots on, too.

It is quite extraordinary that Lukaku did not manage to find the net. VAR was the bane of his existence in Belgium's shock loss to Slovakia.

Based on his xG (1.7), Lukaku should have netted at least once, probably twice, but instead, he headed home without a goal to his name.

Lionel Scaloni lauded Lionel Messi's commitment to Argentina despite being forced to withdraw from their Copa America success against Colombia. 

Messi was substituted for the first time at the tournament since 2007, also against Colombia, having been unable to shake off an ankle injury sustained in the first half. 

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was reduced to tears as he left the field of play in the 66th minute in what could potentially be his final appearance for La Albiceleste. 

But that disappointment quickly turned to ecstasy as Lautaro Martinez's fifth tournament goal secured La Albiceleste a record 16th Copa crown. 

Scaloni went on to detail Messi's desire to continue at the Hard Rock Stadium, saying that his Argentina teammates should take note of his commitment to the cause. 

"Leo is the greatest player in history. He never wants to leave the pitch. He has a swollen ankle and he wants to keep on playing," Scaloni told reporters.

"I prefer those players and his teammates see that, that he is 30-something-years-old and he's there and he wants to contribute.

"He wants to play not because he is egotistical or selfish.

"He wants to continue playing because he doesn't want to leave his teammates. He doesn't want to leave them on the pitch even when he's in that condition.

"He doesn't feel well when he has to leave and he was born to be on the pitch."

Messi's success was his third major tournament triumph in as many years, having previously led Argentina to the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup. 

Argentina's all-time leading goal scorer became the first player to play in five Copa finals (2007, 2015, 2016, 2021 and 2024), surpassing Javier Mascherano's previous record. 

But that could be his last. Messi has hinted at international retirement on several occasions in recent months, admitting he was fighting his last battles at the Copa America.

Both Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi called time on their respective international careers, although Otamendi will feature for Argentina at the Paris Olympics. 

Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul commended the trio’s contributions to the national team, deeming their Copa America success a fitting setting for them to bow out on the international stage. 

"I know Leo (Messi), I know how he thinks. He always wants to be there, but the fact that he's part of this team is the best thing for us," De Paul told TyC Sports.

"With Fideo (Di Maria), I'm sad to see him go, but I'm also happy because he's one of the few that can say goodbye in this way as a World Cup and Copa champion."

Lionel Scaloni compared Angel Di Maria's Argentina send-off to a movie as the winger produced one of his finest performances in Sunday's Copa America final.

Di Maria had already announced he would call time on his international career at the end of the tournament, which Argentina won by beating Colombia 1-0 in the final.

Argentina's victory – their record-breaking 16th triumph at the Copa – came despite Lionel Messi limping off injured in the 66th minute, with substitute Lautaro Martinez netting an extra-time winner.

Di Maria produced an excellent performance as he led all Argentina players for chances created (three), dribbles (five) and possessions won in the final third (two).

Scaloni had harboured hopes of convincing Di Maria to reverse his decision, but he is now resigned to losing the former Real Madrid man.

"He played spectacular games, but today was one of the best," Scaloni said, as quoted by TyC Sports.

"In addition to playing well, he had the attitude to go and press at a time of the game when his legs were not giving up and he began to run as if he were 25 years old. 

"He's a legend, there's no way to convince him. At least he comes once more and says goodbye to his audience, he deserves it. His story is a movie because of how it ended."

Scaloni's own Argentina future was called into question last year, with the World Cup winner saying he was considering resigning after a win over Brazil last November.

He was ultimately convinced to stay on and is now committed to remaining at the helm for the 2026 World Cup.

"I had a bad time last year, I was not in the right condition," Scaloni said. "I said that because there was an impasse for a few months. The day I have a problem, I'll say it. 

"Today I'm fine, I recovered all that and we hope to continue on this path. The national team demands a lot of energy, I think it's important to be honest. 

"For now I have two more years on my contract. At some point this will be cut. The most beautiful thing is to get back up."

Emilano Martinez remains hungry to win more titles with Argentina having secured his third trophy in as many years at the 2024 Copa America. 

Martinez kept his fifth clean sheet of the tournament in Argentina's 1-0 win over Colombia at the Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. 

The Aston Villa goalkeeper registered five catches in the victory over Colombia, the most for a goalkeeper in a final in the last 10 editions of the Copa America.

Furthermore, Martinez made four saves, becoming the first Albiceleste goalkeeper to register five clean sheets in a single edition of the tournament as he scooped his third Golden Glove at a major tournament. 

Martinez has been a pivotal figure in Argentina's recent successes at the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup, keeping seven clean sheets in 13 appearances in those respective tournaments. 

Despite securing a third major tournament honour for Argentina, Martinez was in no mood to stop there. 

"Being a two-time champion is something very nice for this National Team, for this country," Martinez said.

"We wanted to give people another joy, we put a lot of grit. They thought that winning titles we were going to relax, but we showed once again the kind of team we are."

Argentina's success confirmed their participation in next year's Finalissima, a title they have won a record two times after beating Italy at Wembley in 2022. 

La Albiceleste will face European Championship winners Spain following their 2-1 victory over England on Sunday. 

It will be of key interest to Barcelona supporters, with Lionel Messi set to come up against Lamine Yamal, who starred in his debut major international tournament. 

Despite the showpiece fixture not being played until next year, Martinez is already eyeing up another chance to add to his international trophy cabinet.

"We are now playing the Finalissima against Spain and we have the chance to win another title," Martinez said. 

Cristian Romero said Argentina's Copa America showdown with Colombia "didn't seem like a final" due to the chaotic scenes outside the ground in Miami.

Fans without tickets flooded the turnstiles at the Hard Rock Stadium for Sunday's clash, with kick-off delayed for almost 90 minutes.

The poor organisation eventually resulted in those fans being allowed to enter, causing further chaos.

Romero, who helped Argentina to a 1-0 victory, said emotions were running high.

"It was hard because many had their families outside, they didn't know what was going on," he told TyC Sports.

"It didn't seem like a final, there was a lot of commotion and a lot of concern."

The sentiment was echoed by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.

He told reporters: "It's difficult to explain and understand. An hour [delay]. We had to play like that, with the feeling of not knowing where your family was.

"We saw the videos that were circulating, we were not oblivious to what was happening. I think the boys from Colombia were in a similar situation, very strange."

This edition of the Copa America has been marred by crowd trouble, with Uruguay players having been involved in fights in the stands with Colombia fans after last week's semi-final.

And with the next World Cup being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, Scaloni feels governing body CONCACAF has plenty of work to do.

"I imagine it will be different, that's how it should be," he said.

"That's what we all hope for. The important thing is that we overcame all these issues."

Nestor Lorenzo has said his Colombia team are "just getting started" following their 1-0 defeat to Argentina in the Copa America final on Sunday. 

Colombia's 28-game unbeaten run came to an end in excruciating style as Lautaro Martinez's extra-time winner secured La Albiceleste a record 16th title. 

Lorenzo's side reached their first Copa America final since 2001, an edition where they claimed their maiden triumph in the competition. 

Despite their longest unbeaten streak in the nation's history coming to an end, Lorenzo insisted his players are just at the start of their journey together. 

“Of the two finalists there is one who is marking an era, it is not a coincidence and before this era they lost two Copa America finals and a World Cup final," said Lorenzo.

"Scaloni has been with the boys for seven years, I congratulate you. We’re just getting started.

"I hope we play in the next final and qualify for the World Cup. I’m proud of the boys. I thank the players."

Colombia finished as the tournament's top scorers, netting 12 goals in their six games at the Copa America, five of which came in their win over Panama in the quarter-finals. 

James Rodriguez starred at a major tournament once again for Los Cafeteros, producing six assists to surpass Lionel Messi's previous record (five) in the finals. 

Lorenzo's side have recaptured the hearts of their nation once again, and the head coach believes his squad can be proud of their efforts in the competition. 

“I think I don’t feel it as a defeat, it’s something strange," said Lorenzo.

"I feel that the boys came out victorious in the tournament. I think it was the team throughout the tournament that played the best and were the protagonists."

This was not the potential Copa America farewell that Lionel Messi had dreamed of.

With a little over an hour played in Miami, where he is tearing through MLS sides on a weekly basis, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was in tears as he trudged off with an apparent ankle injury.

The next Copa America is not until 2028; Messi will be beyond 40 - surely, this was his last appearance in the competition in which he has now played more games than any other player?

For Messi's individual pain, though, there was national glory. Unlike Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2024, with Portugal crashing out in the quarters, Argentina have gone the distance and, for a third successive major tournament, come out as the top dogs. They beat Colombia 1-0 on Sunday and claimed a record-setting 16th Copa America title.

But if the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup were all about their magical number 10, this time around, Lautaro Martinez provided the spark.

Martinez has not been a regular starter under Lionel Scaloni. He endured a difficult World Cup in Qatar on a personal level, failing to score from 14 shots and an accumulated xG of 1.81.

Yet in the United States, on the back of a fantastic season with Inter, Martinez has shown there is life after Messi for Argentina.

Despite having already scored four goals at the tournament to lead the Golden Boot race ahead of kick-off against Colombia, which was delayed by over an hour due to crowd trouble outside the Hard Rock Stadium, Martinez was not called upon until seven minutes into extra time.

It had, to that point, been an attritional encounter. Sure, plenty of shots (14 for Colombia, seven for Argentina) but Nicolas Gonzalez's disallowed goal and a strike off the post from Jhon Cordoba were the closest either team came. The second half alone, meanwhile, featured 13 fouls as the darker side of South American football reared its head.

This was not a game for flair. James Rodriguez, the Player of the Tournament, still got on the ball for Colombia when he could - he created three chances and played a match-leading 20 passes into the final third. Angel Di Maria, in his final match before international retirement, provided some spark for Argentina with three key passes of his own.

But it was Martinez who would make himself the (unlikely) hero. Five minutes after his introduction, he was put through by fellow substitute Giovani Lo Celso and, with his only shot of the night, coolly put Argentina ahead.

Jubilation for Argentina, who continued the pattern that began in 1983, which consists of alternating two-time champions and new winners at the Copa America. 

Deflation, though, for Colombia, whose long unbeaten streak came to an end after 27 games, and their 23-year wait for a second Copa America title will roll on to become 27 years, at least. Will they get a better chance, especially after seeing Messi go off?

Argentina had less possession than their opponents for the first time since the semi-finals against Croatia in the last World Cup, with Colombia seeing 55.7% of the ball.

But even if Messi, who scored only once across the tournament, was not at his fluid best, or even available at all, Argentina proved they can win without him. After he dragged them to glory in Qatar, Messi had to watch on - with his ankle swelling - from the sidelines as Martinez got Argentina over the line.

This victory is one that has been built on a spectacularly solid defence, too. Argentina conceded only once in six games, in the quarter-final against Ecuador, which they won on penalties. Among the teams that played at least five matches in any edition of the Copa America, only four conceded fewer than two goals: Argentina in 2024 (one), Colombia in 2001 (0), Brazil in 1989 (one) and 2019 (one).

And what of Messi, then? 

At 37 years and 20 days old, he became the oldest player to start a Copa America final in the 21st century. He is also the first player to play in five finals (2007, 2015, 2016, 2021 and 2024), surpassing Javier Mascherano (2004, 2007, 2015 and 2016).

He had not been substituted in a Copa America match since July 2007, also in a meeting with Colombia, but needs must.

If this was, as expected, his farewell appearance in the competition, he goes out a two-time champion and with 14 goals to his name, three short of the tournament's record scorers.

Martinez, meanwhile, has completed his redemption arc. His tally of five goals not only wins him the Golden Boot, but also matches the best effort by an Argentine at the Copa America since the turn of the century (along with Messi in 2016 and Juan Roman Riquelme in 2007).

His goals came from just 221 minutes of action, and he started just two of Argentina's six matches.

Colombia will lick their wounds, but so too must CONMEBOL and CONCACAF. 

Passions run high in South American football, and the Americas in general, but the United States will be hosting a World Cup in two years' time. The chaos outside the stadium gates, which resulted in hundreds if not thousands of fans entering without tickets, and the match being delayed, does not reflect well at all.

Like Martinez in an international shirt, those governing bodies must up their games.