Final at the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami delayed due to appalling security controls - people without tickets rushing the gates. Game kicks off 80 minutes late. Furious 90 miles an hour stuff in both directions with Columbia being the better team. Lerma playing well and had a shot narrowly wide.
HT 0-0

Another big delay as the Yanks just have to put on a huge half time show featuring Shakira who apparently is a very popular Columbian pop star. Lots of skimpy shiny costumes, pelvic thrusting and instantly forgettable songs.

Game gets underway again at 10:35 (2:25 after original kickoff time). Tempo has gone up to 95mph. Lerma hits a scorcher that goes 50 ft over the bar. Messi off injured after 65 mins.The world stops revolving for a few seconds in reverence. Camera cuts to Messi in tears. VAR check - no penalty to Columbia. VAR check - no goal Argentina, offside. Crowd (probably mostly illegal immigrants) volume goes up to 11 and pace increases so that players are becoming blurred. 4 minutes stoppage time.
FT 0-0 Amazingly no one scored while I went for a wazz.

Extra time kicks off at 11:30. The pace has dropped to 89mph and game still pretty even. Argies falling all over the pitch feigning injury. Frenetic end to end contest.
ET HT 0-0

Lerma substituted so he can't be blamed for missing a penalty or get injured - phew. Final 15 mins - here we go. Columbia laying seige to the Argentinian goal and must surely score soon. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL (sorry I had to enter the spirit of the occasion). Argentina race down the pitch and Martinez (Inter Milan) scores - I think I might have jinxed Columbia there. Di Maria leaves the field in tears after his final game. The Columbians heads drop - camera cuts to smiling Messi. 122 mins, comical scenes as Columbia demand a penalty and argue with the ref. It's all over and Argentina win their 16th Copa America. Now comes the usual jubilant/desperate roving camera scenes at which time I switch channels to a Big Bang Theory rerun.

Final assessment:-
For the football purist 5/10
As a theatrical spectacle 8/10
As Sunday night entertainment 9/10

Adios

Edited by Tyke Exile (15 Jul 2024 5.19am)

Just to say a big Thank You to you guys for providing the updates & comms etc, appreciate it.

This operation, will make the 'Charge Of The Light Brigade' seem like a simple military exercise.