VIDEO: Shocking footage shows women and children screaming and crying as stampede is narrowly avoided amid trouble sparked by ticketless fans at Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia

With security at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami being called into question, hundreds of ticketless supporters were able to gain entry to the venue ahead of Argentina’s eagerly-anticipated clash with Colombia. Many of those scaled fences and climbed through holes that were not being monitored.

Several more forced their way through gates that saw fans backed up in a mass scramble to get inside the stadium. Some scary scenes led to huge crushes, as swells of agitated supporters surged forward in a bid to make it inside.

Women and children that formed part of that pack were caught on camera in tears as bodies tumbled over and faced the threat of being trampled on by those behind them. The scenes have been widely condemned by those in attendance and watching on from afar.

The United States has faced criticism for its staging of the 2024 Copa, with poor pitches and empty stands attracting unwelcome attention. They now have crowd control issues to contend with heading towards the 2026 World Cup – which will be co-hosted by the US alongside their neighbours Mexico and Canada.