Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal of the match in the 112th minute to win a record 16th Copa America for Argentina.
Tempers had flared in the stands at the Maracana moments before kick-off, with Brazilian police seen using batons to drive back a block of Argentine fans at one end of the ground.
FIFA World Cup 2018 Highlights France vs Argentina: Kylian Mbappe scored a brace as France beat Argentina 4-3 to enter quarterfinals.
Argentina fell 0-2 behind after goals from Venezuela's Juanpi Anor and Josef Martinez but Lucas Pratto pulled a goal back while Nicolas Otamendi scored the equaliser in the 83rd minute
Valencia were defeated 1-2 by French club Monaco in their play-off round encounter on Tuesday but progressed 4-3 on aggregate courtesy of their 3-1 triumph in the first leg of the tie.
Nicolas Otamendi joined Manchester City from Valencia on Thursday on a five-year contract to become their third major signing of the transfer window and take the club's spending to the