Football unity is showcased between Europe and South America by the Finalissima as the fixture pits the champions of Europe against their South American counterparts in a showdown. UEFA and CONMEBOL signed a renewed and extended Memorandum of Understanding on 15 December 2021.
ARGENTINA BEAT COLOMBIA 1-0 TO CLINCH RECORD 16TH COPA AMERICA TITLE
Argentina won their second straight Copa America championship, overcoming Lionel Messi’s second-half leg injury to beat Colombia 1-0 with Lautaro Martínez’s 112th-minute goal. Messi appeared to sustain a non-contact injury while running and falling in the 64th minute and covered his face with his hands as he sat on the bench and sobbed. Martinez later ran to that bench to hug his captain after the goal that propelled Argentina to its record 16th Copa title.
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The game, which was delayed by more than an hour after thousands of fans without tickets tried to enter the stadium, was a cagey affair over 90 minutes but opened up in the extra period.
SPAIN BEAT ENGLAND 2-1 TO WIN RECORD FOURTH EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored a dramatic late winner as Spain triumphed in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final, beating England 2-1 to confirm their re-emergence as a force on the international stage. England had been dreaming of winning a first title in almost six decades and it looked as if it could be their night as Spain lost influential midfielder Rodri to injury at half-time.
Yet Spain shrugged that off to take the lead within two minutes of the restart through Nico Williams, who was set up by his fellow star winger, Lamine Yamal. England came from behind as they have done so often at this Euros, substitute Cole Palmer driving in the equaliser on 73 minutes, moments after entering the fray. But their resurgence in the game was cut short when Oyarzabal, the Real Sociedad forward, turned in a cross in the 86th minute to hand Spain a record fourth European Championship crown, and a third in the last five editions.
