Argentina vs Colombia, Copa America 2024 Final: Why is the Match delayed? Who are to Blame and When will Match Start?

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The Copa America 2024 Final between Argentina and Colombia has been delayed for 45 minutes.

Initially, the match was supposed to start at 8 pm ET, which is 5:30 am IST, but now the match has been rescheduled to start at 8:45 pm ET, which is 6:15 IST in India.

Argentina are up against Colombia in the massive final of the Copa America. Defending Champions Argentina are eyeing their 16th title while Colombia aim to get their hands for the 2nd time on the prestigious trophy. But amid this, the delayed match means the fans will have to wait a bit longer for the action.

Argentina vs Colombia: Why is the Match Delayed 30 minutes?

The match has been delayed due to fan disturbances around the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The fans of both countries have come in numbers and a few of them were captured rushing towards the stadium gates without valid entry documents or tickets. The fans were seen breaking the main gate and entering rapidly inside.

That created a chaos and due to security purposes and to maintain order inside the stadium, the CONBEMOL organizers have delayed the match for 45 minutes.

"We would like to inform you that individuals without tickets will not be allowed entry into the stadium," CONBEMOL wrote on X.

"Only those with purchased tickets will be permitted entry once access is reopened. We also inform you that the match will be delayed by 30 minutes, starting at 8:30 PM [local time]," the statement added.

The Unlawful Fans and CONBEMOL are to Blame Behind the Delay

Many of the fans without any tickets snuck in and rushed as the gates opened, causing impending danger to the spectators. It created a lot of anguish among the young kids who came to watch the final, as many of them were seen in tears and receiving medical attention. The authorities have already started to chase out the fans without any valid ticket and it is to be seen how much the issue resolves when the match starts.

It is quite unfortunate that a match of this importance is being delayed as organizers failed to control the crowd. It raises questions about the security of the fans and clearly raises questions on the organizers. Hopefully, none of the fans have been hurt, but CONBEMOL will have to take the blame for such mismanagement.

Meanwhile, Argentina and Colombia have already announced their lineups for the final. Lionel Messi is set to start for them while Luis Diaz is also in the starting lineup for Colombia.

Argentina vs Colombia Rescheduled Kickoff Time

The new rescheduled kickoff time is 9:15 pm ET, which is 6:45 am IST (Monday, July 15) / 7:15 am Bangladesh time.

Argentina vs Colombia Lineups

Argentina: Emiliano Martinez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Angel Di Maria, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez

Colombia: Camilo Vargas; Santiago Arias, Davinson Sanchez, Carlos Cuesta, Johan Mojica; Richard Rios, Jefferson Lerma; Jhon Arias, James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz; Jhon Cordoba