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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- As the clock counted down to kick-off, fans inside the Hard Rock Stadium attempted to forget the prematch scenes as hundreds of individuals without tickets rushed the gates and forced a venue-wide lockdown. Supporters stood in 90-degree heat under the Florida sun in an attempt to enter and watch the Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia.
Despite the harrowing sights, those inside shifted their mindsets to the game once the lights dimmed and countdown began.
Seconds before the Colombia national team walked onto the pitch, the speakers blasted "Mami, prenda la radio, encienda la tele y no me molesten, que hoy juega La Sele" ("babe, turn on the radio and the TV, don't bother me because today the national team plays"). And again, seconds before extra time began: "Guarden energía para que canten el gol (gol, gol, gol) Olé, olé, olea" ("save the energy to sing for the goal..."). Colombian supporters chanted "olé olé olé" in unison.
In the end, La Sele fell 1-0 to Argentina, but through the team's success and Ryan Castro's song "El Ritmo Que Nos Une" ("the rhythm that unites us") the tournament served to reignite the football flame inside the hearts of every fan supporting the team in red, yellow and blue.
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Los Cafeteros competed well during the first 90 minutes, keeping the reigning world champions to their own half and taking offensive control. Santiago Arias thrived on the right flank, inspiring Jhon Córdoba to a couple close attempts to lift the crowd. With every save made by goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, the fans rallied behind the team, cheering his name. When Argentina looked to dominate, the Colombian support still tried to drown out the fans of La Albiceleste.
Eventually, Argentina's bench overpowered a weakened Colombia in extra time. Lautaro Martínez, who came on to replace Julián Álvarez in the 97th minute in the match, met Giovani Lo Celso's through ball with a right-footed finish to score the only goal of the game. But the fans never wavered.
Despite the score, the 2024 Copa América rekindled a fire under Colombia. Prior to the tournament, the team experienced a disconnect from the fanbase and jersey after failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
During that unsuccessful campaign the team hired multiple coaches to add to the instability of an already troubled squad. Colombia concluded the run in sixth place, finishing below even the qualification playoff place after just three wins from 18 games and a 6-1 loss to Ecuador. Luis Díaz, James Rodríguez, Jefferson Lerma, Daniel Muñoz, Carlos Cuesta and Wílmar Barrios -- who all started Sunday's Copa final -- formed an integral part of the team for the World Cup qualifiers, and still they couldn't secure a ticket to Qatar.
After failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, James Rodríguez and the rest of the Colombia regained the love of their fans by reaching the 2024 Copa América final. Buda Mendes/Getty Images
To those looking in from the outside, the disconnect between the Colombia national team and the fanbase looked akin to a public breakup, with one side vowing not to come back until real change occurred. Then, following the World Cup, Colombia went on a 25-game unbeaten streak. The faint flames of remained support gained got a little more oxygen with every victory.
Weeks before the 2024 Copa, Colombian singer and songwriter Castro, a longtime fan of the national team, worked with players to release "El Ritmo Que Nos Une" in the hope of galvanizing that reinvigorated support. The reggaeton song calls for support of the national team, seeing figures like Luis Díaz rapping lyrics with his own name. It slowly crept into radio stations playlists, Instagram posts and viral TikTok videos before becoming synonymous with the Colombia national team.
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Fans rallied behind of the lyrics, "Saque las banderas, saque el tambor. Que llegó lo más chimba, la Tricolor. Con el calor de la costa pa' meterle el sabor" ("bring out the flags, bring out the drums. The coolest thing, La tricolor, just arrived. With the heat of the coast, to add in the flavor"). The song motivated the fan base to buy into the idea that the national team could once again be the beacon of hope the country needed. And as the team progressed in the competition, "El Ritmo Que Nos Une" built momentum and reassured players that hundreds of thousands of supporters stood in unison behind one cause: Los Cafeteros. Players even blasted the song inside the locker room after defeating Uruguay in the semifinal, inviting Castro inside to celebrate with the team.
"El Ritmo Que Nos Une" served its truest purpose after thousands of Colombia fans gathered in Miami the night before the final, flooding the streets with red, yellow and blue jerseys, flags and paraphernalia. Chants broke out constantly, before the masses fell into a stunned silence watching as Colombian-themed fireworks lit up the night sky.
"The fans, we feel them more and more each day in every city we visit," said Juan Fernando Quintero. "We always felt it, honestly it's the most beautiful thing to feel before a game. It's amazing to connect with the people, because at the end we are one. We are one nation, and we have to do great things and make history."
The support continued well after the final whistle, even as the players sat disappointed on the field watching Argentina celebrate. It wasn't until the last player left the field that those in yellow finally cleared from the stands at Hard Rock Stadium. Players clapped toward the fans in gratitude for them lifting their spirits and hearts throughout the past five weeks. Colombia may have lost the final, but they managed to regain the hearts of millions back home.
The national team must now prepare for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, as Nestor Lorenzo's sights remain set on making a return to the next tournament in the United States. But the team can now do so knowing supporters are behind them once again.
Source: espn.co.uk