Angel Di Maria scored the only goal of the game with a fine lob in the first half after several chances. The PSG star received a long pass from the impressive Rodrigo De Paul, which he converted.

The win also ended Argentina’s 28-year wait for a major trophy, and Brazil’s unbeaten home record that stretched back more than 2,500 days. The victory was also Argentina’s 15th Copa America triumph and means they draw level with Uruguay as the all-time leading winners.

For Brazil, it was the first time in 6 editions that they failed to lift the trophy.

Messi had a forgettable ending to the tournament as he was showed a straight red card in the third place playoff against Chile following a clash with Gary Medel.

Following the match, Messi did not come out to collect his bronze medal. Messi predicted that Brazil would win the tournament because everything was set up for them .

The Barcelona forward said “There is no doubt, the whole thing is set up for Brazil . I hope the VAR and referees don’t play any part in the final and that Peru can compete but it looks tough to me. I did not want to be part of this corruption, we shouldn’t have to be part of this disrepect we suffered during the Copa America .We could have gone further but we weren’t allowed into the final. Corruption , referees and all the rest stopped people from enjoying the football. I always tell the truth and I’m honest , that is what keeps me calm, if what I say has repercussions that is not my business . I think that what happened is because of what I said against Brazil. What I said last time perhaps came back to haunt me. With a yellow card that was the end of it .”

Brazil won the Copa America for the first time since 20007 after they defeated Peru 3-1 at the Maracana on Sunday.

Tite said “He has to show some respect, he must understand and accept when he’s defeated. We’ve been affected in many matches, even in the World Cup, so be very careful. He put a lot of pressure on because of how great a player he is. Everyone has their own problems and you have to be respectful .”

Gabriel Jesus provided the assist for the first goal as he set up Everton’s opener on 15 minutes. Peru came back into the game as Paolo Guerrero scored for Peru from the penalty spot.

Jesus then got on the score sheet minutes before after time to restore Brazil’s lead on the stroke of half-time.

It was substitute Richarlison’s late penalty that sealed a ninth Copa America title for Brazil and their first since 2007.

Messi was sent off towards the end of the first half of Saturday’s third-place play-off against Peru following a confrontation with midfielder Gary Medel, who was also shown a red card.

The Argentina captain suggested he had been singled out following his comments over the crazy officiating in the wake of their 2-0 semi-final defeat by hosts Brazil in Belo Horizonte.

He said “We don’t need to be part of the corruption that we’ve suffered at this tournament, Medel is always right at the limit. With a yellow that would have been the end of it for both of us, but well, maybe what I said recently had an impact. What’s important is that the team finished well in the tournament. Maybe this was ordered and I ended up suffering because of what I said.”

In a six-page letter to the South American confederation, Argentina complained that VAR was not used to check two decisions that could have lead to penalties for fouls on Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Otamendi.

Aguero appeared to be fouled by Dani Alves during the game, and Argentina were unhappy after no penalty was awarded when Otamendi went down in the box following a challenge from Arthur.

Brazil won the game 2-0 thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino, and following the game Argentina forward Lionel Messi blamed the defeat on the performance of Zambranol.