Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates celebrate their Copa America triumph.Credit:AP
Renan Lodi failed to cut out a long ball forward from Rodrigo De Paul and Di Maria lobbed the stranded Ederson with aplomb.
Brazil piled on the pressure in an exciting second half but even with five strikers on the field they could not get an equaliser against an Argentine defence protected by the outstanding Rodrigo De Paul.
“First we have to congratulate our opponents especially for the first half when they neutralised us,” said Brazilian defender Thiago Silva.
“In the second half there was no contest - only one team tried to play football,the other just wasted time as we knew they would. It’s not an excuse,we didn’t do what we had to,principally in the first half.”
Angel Di Maria celebrates the first-half goal which proved decisive.Credit:Getty
Argentina’s win was a particular triumph for Barcelona striker Messi,who picked up his first ever title with his national team after more than a decade of club and individual honours.
The Argentine players surrounded their captain at the final whistle. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez celebrated what he called a Maracanazo,a remarkable win at the famous Rio stadium.