The start of the Copa América final on Sunday was delayed by over an hour after unruly fans created absolute chaos outside of the event ... and people's behavior didn't get much better once action finally got underway -- as parts of the stadium were left destroyed.
The 2024 Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia was delayed after fans without tickets breached Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and caused destruction to the stadium.
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) July 15, 2024
Mostly Columbia fans wearing yellow and red colors could be seen hopping over the security railings near… pic.twitter.com/EJwzAcvCPP
The highly anticipated Argentina vs. Colombia game was slated to kick off at 5 PM PT at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami ... but when supporters from both sides bum-rushed gates in an effort to illegally gain entrance to the contest, officials put a pause on everything.
Copa América championship game delayed 30 min because of fans entering without a ticket. Fans broke down walls to get into this stadium, gates at Hard Rock Stadium have been breached, officials literally chasing supporters throughout the stadium, people getting into the game… pic.twitter.com/gI6zt2Cgb3
— Ivano Panetti (@ivanopanetti) July 15, 2024
Check out some images from the outside of the venue ... it was complete mayhem. Fans climbed fences, packed gates, scaled walls -- and even slogged through vents in attempts to get by security to catch the championship game in-person.
It got so scary, officials actually had to close off gates completely ... and said they only reopened them for a brief time to "prevent stampedes and serious injury at the perimeter." Gates were then closed once the stadium was deemed to be at capacity.
The game finally kicked off at around 6:30 PM ... and it was a good one -- Lionel Messi's Argentina squad was able to pull out a 1-0 victory -- but the drama away from the pitch didn't stop.
Fans complained that people who didn't have tickets were squatting in their seats and refused to leave. Others were seen on video making messes all across the venue -- littering the ground with popcorn. An escalator was also demolished in the disorder.
Here is the video when the escalator broke or the quick aftermath.
— Favian Renkel (@FavianRenkel) July 15, 2024
📸 @ONLYinDADE #CopaAmerica #Colombia #Argentina pic.twitter.com/Qx4UeGZjJu
Police said multiple arrests were made.
As for Hard Rock Stadium, officials said in a statement released early Monday morning that "significant damage" was done to the venue ... although they were "grateful to the law enforcement officers who managed a difficult situation and prioritized the safety of the venue, the players, their families and the fans."
¿Por qué? ¿Por qué imbeciles? ¿Por qué hacen esto? pic.twitter.com/8g5bk7JxlH
— Beto Coral (@Betocoralg) July 15, 2024
"We will continue to work with law enforcement to identify and hold criminals accountable who engaged in illegal conduct," they said. "It is disappointing that a night of celebration was impacted by unlawful and unsafe behavior."
They added they're launching a probe to ensure similar situations never happen again.
It was not the only ugly scene that went down at this year's Copa América tournament ... just days prior, Uruguay's Darwin Núñez leaped into the stands following a game in Charlotte against Colombia and brawled fans.