Sports

Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 to lift 1st Copa America title in 28 years

Rio de Janeiro, July 10 (EFE).- Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 Saturday in the final of the Copa America with a goal by Ángel Di María at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

The 15th championship trophy ended a 28-year title drought.

Argentinian captain Lionel Messi, who finished as the tournament’s top goalscorer with four scores, also ended his wait for a first major international title.

He was named joint best player along with Brazilian star Neymar despite failing to score in the final.

The historic rivals spent the first few minutes of the game studying each other.

Although Brazil tried to take control, it barely managed to come near the goal defended by Emiliano Martínez.

The first and the only goal of the game came in the 22nd minute, when Di María received a long pass from Rodrigo De Paul, which Renan Lodi failed to cut out, and lobbed the ball over the Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson and into the net.

Brazil’s best opportunity to score in the first half came in the 30th minute when Neymar won a free-kick, but his attempt hit the wall.

Despite another three chances to score in the second half, La Canarinha did not level with Argentina, leaving the rivals with the title for the first time since 1993. EFE

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