Coach scolds

Uproar over Shakira’s performance in the Copa final

Shakira performed during the break in the Copa America final.

(Bild: AFP/APA/CHARLY TRIBALLEAU)

She was actually supposed to heat up the atmosphere in the Copa America final between Colombia and Argentina with her performance, but for Colombia's national coach Nestor Lorenzo she was more likely to cause displeasure. The 58-year-old thought the 25-minute show was too long.

To give her enough time for her performance, the half-time break at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium was extended by around ten minutes, meaning the players had to wait 25 minutes instead of a quarter of an hour before returning to the pitch. 

Influence on players?
"A 25-minute half-time break can affect the players' fitness," Lorenzo had already expressed his concerns before the game against the world champions. His protégés could get cold, which would also increase the risk of injury.

(Bild: AP ( via APA) Austria Presse Agentur/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Curious: at the start of the tournament, teams were still penalized if they did not return from the dressing room after 15 minutes. Paradoxical, as Lorenzo finds: "When we came out in the 16th minute, we were penalized, but now that there's a show, we can come out in the 20th."

Whether the long break had actually affected his players' performance? In any case, the final was lost 1-0 in extra time thanks to a goal from Argentina's Lautaro Martinez.