MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo criticized CONMEBOL's decision to extend halftime of the 2024 Copa America final from the traditional 15 minutes to 25 minutes to accommodate a performance by Colombian pop star Shakira.
“I hope they enjoy it, Shakira is great,” he said at his press conference ahead of Sunday's final with Argentina at Hard Rock Stadium. “For a final, when the rules change for both teams, bad pitches for both or the same weather for both, then I can't say if it's bad or if it favours one side.”
“I can't understand it. I wish it was like the rest. When we came on in the 16th minute they sanctioned us, but now that there's a spectacle going on we can come on in the 20th minute. The players can cool off, but it's on both sides. Today I found out that it's like that and that's it.”
The coach referred to incidents in the group stage, in which coaches Lionel Scaloni (Argentina), Ricardo Gareca (Chile), Marcelo Bielsa (Uruguay) and Fernando Batista (Venezuela) were suspended for one match after each team arrived late to the pitch. The country's football federations were also fined $15,000 each.
In addition to the change to half-time, CONMEBOL also opted to reintroduce extra time in the final. During the quarter-final and semi-final stages, a draw in regulation time automatically led to a penalty shoot-out, but in the final, an additional 30 minutes will be played before going to penalties.
Regardless of the new rules implemented, Lorenzo insists Colombia are ready to compete and see James Rodriguez thrive against the reigning Copa America champions.
“He's had a great Copa America, we're lucky that he's fine and that he's taken on the leadership of the team,” he said. “And that the team has supported him and brought him to this game, where we want to be. He's been one of the best, I don't know if he's the best, but he's certainly one of the best. And I hope he plays a good game tomorrow.”
Rodríguez enters the final with one goal and six assists, surpassing Lionel Messi's record (5 in 2021) for most goal assists in a single edition of the competition since records began in 2011. “We know James' left foot, we know it's one of the best,” said Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano 'Dibu' Martínez about the Colombian star.
While Argentina is looking to win its third consecutive major tournament, having also won the World Cup in 2022, Colombia is looking to lift just its second Copa América crown and first since 2001.
