Eight PL players help Argentina win record 16th Copa America

Eight Premier League players were crowned Copa America 2024 champions as Argentina edged to a record 16th title with a 1-0 extra-time win over Colombia 1-0 at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.

Lautaro Martinez struck the decisive goal in the second half of extra-time with a crisp finish after Tottenham Hotspur's Giovani Lo Celso had played him in with a sublime through-ball.

A total of 13 Premier League players from eight different clubs were involved in the final, with six starting for Argentina: Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez, Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez and Tottenham Hotspur’s Cristian Romero.

Liverpool's Luis Diaz and Jefferson Lerma of Crystal Palace were named in Colombia's starting XI.

Colombia’s Jhon Cordoba came closest to scoring in the first half when he hit the woodwork, but otherwise Aston Villa's No 1 Martinez was rarely troubled in the Argentina goal.

Indeed, Martinez was awarded best goalkeeper of the tournament, becoming the first Argentina 'keeper to keep five clean sheets at a single Copa America.

Man City's Alvarez was a whisker away from connecting with a looping Nico Gonzalez header that went across the mouth of goal after 87 minutes, but extra time ensued.

Luis Diaz had a shot that was deflected wide with the best attempt of the first period for Colombia, but it was Argentina who made the breakthrough with eight minutes of extra time remaining thanks to Lo Celso's through ball and the finish of Inter Milan's Martinez.

Argentina's victory ensured back-to-back Copa America titles either side of their 2022 FIFA World Cup success. They are the first nation to retain the trophy since Chile, who won the tournament in 2015 and 2016, beating Argentina in both finals on penalties.

It was also another night to remember also for Man City's 22-year-old forward Alvarez; the Copa America triumph being the latest honour to add to his incredible list of successes since joining Pep Guardiola's side two years ago.

Alvarez has already lifted the Premier League twice, the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar - and he now turns his attention to the Paris 2024 Olympics later this month, having been selected by Argentina for that too.

The day before, Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was on target as Uruguay won their third-placed playoff match, beating Canada 4-3 on penalties after the match had ended 2-2 in normal time.

Bentancur fired Uruguay ahead before goals from Ismael Kone and Jonathan David put Canada 2-1 up, only for former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez to level in the second minute of stoppage time to send the match into a penalty shootout.

Suarez scored his spot-kick to make it 4-3 in the shootout after Federico Valverde, Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Bentancur had all converted, while Canada's Kone had his penalty saved by goalkeeper Sergio Rochet and Alphonso Davies missed to hand Uruguay victory.

Copa America 2024 final

Argentina 1-0 Colombia (aet)

Argentina (PL players: 8)
Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Julian Alvarez (Man City), Alejandro Garnacho, Lisandro Martinez (both Man Utd), Giovani Lo Celso, Cristian Romero (both Spurs).

Colombia (PL players: 5)
Jhon Duran (Aston Villa), Luis Sinisterra (AFC Bournemouth), Jefferson Lerma, Daniel Munoz (both Crystal Palace), Luis Diaz (Liverpool).

Copa America third-place playoff 

Canada 2-2 Uruguay (Uruguay win 4-3 on pens)

Canada (PL players: 2)
Tom McGill (Brighton), Luc De Fougerolles (Fulham).

Uruguay (PL players: 3)
Darwin Nunez (Liverpool), Facundo Pellistri (Man Utd), Rodrigo Bentancur (Spurs).