Argentina secured a spot in the Copa America final with a 2-0 victory over Canada in New Jersey, thanks to goals from Julián Álvarez and Lionel Messi.
In the 22nd minute, Julián Álvarez opened the scoring with a clean finish after a pass from Rodrigo De Paul. Lionel Messi, who had been struggling with a muscle injury earlier in the tournament, added the second goal in the 51st minute by redirecting a shot from Enzo Fernández past Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.
Messi’s goal was his 109th for Argentina, placing him second on the all-time international scoring list, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo. Argentina, defending Copa America champions and 2022 World Cup winners, are seeking their 16th Copa America title.
Canada started strong, with Jacob Shaffelburg missing two early chances. Argentina took control after the opening 20 minutes, with Messi narrowly missing a chance to double the lead just before halftime. Canada nearly equalized in first-half stoppage time, but Jonathan David’s close-range effort was saved by Emiliano Martinez. In the final minutes, Canadian substitute Tani Oluwaseyi tested Martinez with a crisp shot and a header, both of which were off-target.
Messi expressed his enjoyment of the journey and acknowledged the significance of potentially competing in his last international final alongside senior teammates Ángel Di María and Nicolás Otamendi. Canada’s midfielder Stephen Eustaquio highlighted the team’s impressive run and reflected on missed opportunities that could have changed the game’s outcome.
Argentina will face either Uruguay or Colombia in the final on Sunday in Florida. The match is a significant moment for several of Argentina’s veteran players and represents a chance for Argentina to extend their record of Copa America titles. Despite the loss, Canada’s performance was commendable, surpassing the achievements of their higher-ranked CONCACAF rivals and earning praise for their resilience and skill on the international stage.
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