Argentina beat Brazil to end 28-year title drought

RIO DE JANEIRO - Angel Di Maria struck a first-half goal as Argentina ended a 28-year title drought by beating hosts Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America final here on Saturday.

In a dour contest that had few clear scoring chances, Di Maria coolly lifted a shot over goalkeeper Ederson after Renan Lodi's bungled attempt to clear a 40-yard Rodrigo De Paul pass.

The result at the Maracana stadium marked Argentina's first major tournament victory since the 1993 Copa America, when they beat Mexico in the final in Ecuador.

"It's an amazing feeling," said Di Maria, who was named man of the match. "Leo [Messi] told me before the game that this was my final because I missed the [Copa America] finals in Chile and the United States [in 2015 and 2016], as well as the World Cup final here in 2014. I'm glad that he was right."