THE Copa America final descended into chaos with Argentina stars forced to leave their dressing room to help their families after fans breached the stadium.
Groups of fans wearing Colombia shirts broke into the Hard Rock stadium in Miami to watch their side take on Argentina – with some climbing in through air vents.
XFans climbed through air vents to gain access to the Copa America final[/caption]
XThe ticketless fans caused a delay to kick-off[/caption]
XSome supporters climbed over a wall via a ladder to enter the ground[/caption]
APLautaro Martinez scored the winner[/caption]
ReutersLionel Messi won his third major tournament with Argentina[/caption]
Some also gained access to the ground by climbing over a wall via a ladder, next to what appeared to be an unused ticket office.
Others managed to get inside after officials opened the stadium gates to prevent a stampede.
A statement from Hard Rock Stadium spokesperson read: “In collaboration with CONMEBOL and law enforcement officers, the decision was made to open the stadium gates for a short period of time to all fans in order to prevent stampedes and serious injury at the perimeter.
“There was serious concern of fans being crushed in an attempt to enter. Law enforcement and security personnel were immediately deployed throughout the stadium and surrounding area to keep fans as safe as possible in light of this unprecedented situation.”
Ticketless fans caused the match to kick off around 75 minutes late.
The crowd trouble also affected the players as Argentina and Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister was forced to leave the team dressing room to help his family enter the stadium.
His mum described the chaotic scenes, saying: “Alexis had to leave to make us enter. It was inhumane.”
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Argentina won the match 1-0 after extra-time thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s goal to stretch their unbeaten run to 29 games – a run that includes their World Cup win.
But Lionel Messi was left in tears as injury forced him off in the 66th minute, however he has now won his third major tournament with his country.
Messi suffered a nasty-looking ankle injury Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
