Argentina’s Game Against Canada Takes Them to a New Final

Veteran star Lionel Messi scored a goal and led defending champions Argentina to the final of the 2024 Copa America, defeating Canada 2-0 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA.

Julián Álvarez (22nd minute) and 37-year-old Messi (51st minute) netted the two goals, securing the world champions’ place in Sunday’s final in Miami, where they will face the winner of the Uruguay vs. Colombia match, scheduled for Thursday morning in Charlotte, North Carolina.

This marks Messi’s fourteenth goal in 38 Copa America matches, spanning his seventh tournament appearance after 2007, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2021.

After scoring his first goal of the current tournament, the Argentine legend commented, “What this group has achieved is incredible.”

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner added, “It is not easy to reach the final again and to compete once more for the title. I am experiencing this just as I did in the last Copa America and the last World Cup… These are the last battles, and I am enjoying them as much as possible.”

Argentina is now closer to securing a third consecutive major title, having won the 2021 Copa America by defeating host Brazil 1-0 and the 2022 World Cup by overcoming France on penalties.

The defending champions, who share a record 15 Copa America titles with Uruguay, delivered their best performance of the current tournament in front of 82,500 spectators at MetLife Stadium. Similar to their World Cup campaign in Qatar 2022, the Albiceleste rose to the occasion at the crucial moment.

On the other hand, Canada, which reached the semi-finals in their first participation in the continental championship, had an impressive run but ultimately succumbed to the world champions.

The two teams had previously met in the group stage, where Argentina also won 2-0 with goals from Álvarez and Lautaro Martinez. After finishing as runners-up, five points behind Argentina, who won all three group stage matches, Canada defeated Venezuela on penalties in the quarter-finals.

With their latest victory, Argentina is now just one win away from setting a new tournament record and claiming their sixteenth Copa America title.