Argentina lifted their record 16th Copa America title on Sunday but the occasion has been totally overshadowed by the fan trouble that saw women and children caught up.
An extra-time winner from Lautaro Martinez proved to be the only goal of the game as Argentina defended their Copa America title , becoming the first team to achieve the feat as World Cup holders. But pre-game scenes of complete chaos have plagued the final at the Hard Rock Stadium.
The game was delayed by one hour and 15 minutes due to hundreds of alleged ticketless fans attempting to force their way into the stadium. Officials reacted by shutting down the gates of the arena and at one point had closed all entrances. Kick-off was delayed a further 15 minutes as those fans with tickets who remained outside trickled in.
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Photos and videos were shared on social media capturing fans rushing the turnstiles and climbing the surrounding fences, with some even attempting to shimmy through the underground air ventilation system , in a bid to gain entry.
Some of those who made it inside managed to evade police and members of security inside the stadium as large groups of fans were spotted running through the concourse towards the empty seats.
Police and security personnel were able to catch some fans who broke in and remove them from the ground as some sustained injuries during the chaos. Footage from in the stands showed police and security making their way through the crowd and checking fan's tickets, removing those who were sitting in seats that didn’t belong to them.
Miami-Dade Police released a statement regarding the crowd trouble before the game, which read: "We have had several incidents prior to the gates opening at Hard Rock Stadium for the Copa America final game. These incidents have been a result of the unruly behavior of fans trying to access the stadium.
"We are asking everyone to be patient and abide by the rules set by our officers and Hard Rock Stadium personnel. We are actively working with Hard Rock Stadium to ensure a safe environment for all those attending. Unruly behavior will get you ejected and/or arrested. We have a ZERO TOLERANCE behavior against unruly conduct from everyone attending."
Families of the players were also impacted by the pre-game chaos, with Roberto Garnacho, brother of Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho, revealing their struggle on social media: "What a shame CONMEBOL (South American soccer's governing body), the families not being able to enter the stadium, unbelievable,” he wrote.
"We were with (Argentina defender Marcos Acuna's) family outside, getting away from the fights... Argentina's security had to come get us, children of players crying, people entering without tickets."
The final was won in the 112th minute by Inter Milan’s Martinez as the Albiceleste overcame a worrying injury to Lionel Messi shortly after the hour mark and the Argentina captain fell in pain with a seeming non-contact injury to his ankle. Argentina’s victory ended Colombia’s incredible 28-game unbeaten run, which dated back to a defeat against Argentina in February 2022. The Albiceleste now stand alone as the most successful nation in the competition’s history.
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