Watch: Angel Di Maria’s goal in Copa America final helps Lionel Messi and Argentina end a long wait

Lionel Messi and Argentina’s long wait for a major trophy final came to a close as hosts Brazil were defeated on Saturday 1-0 in title clash of Copa America at the Maracana Stadium.

The victory at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium ended Argentina’s 28-year wait for a major trophy, and ended Brazil’s unbeaten home record that stretched back more than 2,500 days.

#CopaAmerica 🏆

Here is Angel di Maria’s delightful finish to give Argentina the lead.

🇦🇷 1-0🇧🇷

📽️ Copa Americapic.twitter.com/YjUT3FtRoV

— The Field (@thefield_in) July 11, 2021

Last 10 winners of the Copa America following Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Brazil at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium on Saturday:

2021: Argentina

2019: Brazil

2016: Chile

2015: Chile

2011: Uruguay

2007: Brazil

2004: Brazil

2001: Colombia

1999: Brazil

1997: Brazil

1995: Uruguay

1993: Argentina

Most Copa America victories:

1. Uruguay, Argentina 15

3. Brazil 9

4. Chile, Paraguay, Peru 2

Former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar lined up opposite each other in Saturday’s Copa America final, with both looking to end a hoodoo that has also affected some of their countries’ greatest players.

Like Brazil’s Pele and Diego Maradona of Argentina before them, neither Messi nor Neymar had ever won the Copa. As it turned out, that statistic changed for one of them in the dream final at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana stadium with Messi’s team emerging victorious.

For Messi, this was his fourth Copa final and perhaps was the last chance to finish on the winning side. He…

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