July 10, 2021 will go down in history as the day when Lionel Messi finally lifted a championship trophy with Argentina. Added to that, the Argentine side will be able to add some records to their laureated history that had to wait 28 years to claim one more title.
Since the 1993 edition of the continental tournament in Ecuador, Argentina had failed to make their dominance felt in all major competitions, but this time, against one of their bitter rivals, they managed to exorcize all demons and claim the title in what turned out to be a rough game with over 40 fouls during the course of the game.
This win also gave La Albiceleste a chance to set a few records. The first one of them had to do with their victory against Brazil in a competitive match held in Brazil.
"Write this down! Argentina is the first male national team to defeat Brazil in two consecutive games held at the mythical Maracaná".
¡Apunta el dato! #Argentina es la PRIMERA SELECCIÓN masculina en derrotar a Brasil en partidos consecutivos en el mítico estadio de Maracaná. #CopaAmerica2021 pic.twitter.com/yFI9K0RB5q
— ESPN Datos (@ESPNDatos) July 11, 2021
The second stat to keep under consideration is that Argentina had not been able to beat Brazil in a competitive game held at Maracaná for quite a while...until today.
#Messi gana su primer trofeo con la selección mayor de #Argentina.
— ESPN Datos (@ESPNDatos) July 11, 2021
Por primera vez desde el 1937, la Albiceleste derrota a #Brasil en la final de un torneo mayor. #CopaAmerica2021 pic.twitter.com/08A2oj4T8a
Last, but not least, Argentina ended Tite's successful run at home with tonight's victory, which had gone on for over 20 games.
"Argentina have handed Tite his first loss at home as Brazil's coach after 25 games (21 wins, three draws, one loss)
1- Argentina le propinó a Tite su primera derrota en casa como entrenador de Brasil, luego de 25 encuentros (21V 3E 1D). Lionel Scaloni lo venció dos veces. Celebración. pic.twitter.com/VtqnW1dzfm
— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) July 11, 2021
The moment everyone was waiting for came for Messi, and you can watch it by scrolling down (Image might be geo-restricted).
This is what it means to Messi and Argentina
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 11, 2021
COPA AMERICA CHAMPS pic.twitter.com/gBDxGO9Fcz