World champion Argentina, the defending continental champion, will try to advance to the Copa América final on Tuesday against Canada, the surprise semi-finalists, in a repeat of the duel that opened the tournament (a 2-0 victory for the Albiceleste).
In that game on June 20 in Atlanta, the Canadian team’s first in the history of the tournament, Messi did not score, but provided the assist for Lautaro Martínez’s goal, the competition’s top scorer with 4 goals.
But the new version of the match, which will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford (New Jersey), promises to be different because Argentina was not as superior as expected during the competition and Canada showed that it is not as fragile as imagined.
The ‘Albiceleste’ finished the first phase as leaders of Group A, after also beating Chile (1-0) and Peru (3-0), but they did not have an easy time in the quarter-finals against Ecuador (1-1 in the 90 minutes) and, to advance, they depended once again on goalkeeper ‘Dibu’ Martínez, who saved two penalties in the penalty shootout and was the hero in the tense 4-2 victory.
After losing to Argentina in the first round, Canada recovered and qualified from the group by beating Peru (1-0) and drawing with Chile (0-0).
But the team’s best moment came in the quarterfinals against Venezuela, who had won three games in the group stage. After a 1-1 draw in normal time, the Canadians won the penalty shootout (4-3).
Messi 100%?
Despite playing the full 90 minutes, Messi felt a strain to the adductor muscle in his right thigh in the first half against Chile. Against Peru, he was rested as a precaution and against Ecuador he was far from showing the performance he had on his debut.
It is well known that Messi hates being on the bench, so his starting place against the Canadians is guaranteed, but not his full recovery, despite having trained with the group on equal terms after the game against Ecuador.
Coach Lionel Scaloni is unlikely to make many changes to the lineup compared to the team that took to the field in the quarter-finals, and one of them would be related to the presence of Ángel Di María.
The experienced attacking midfielder started against Canada, but was replaced by Nicolás González against Chile and Ecuador. Marcos Acuña has recovered from a muscle strain and is expected to return to left-back.
#SeniorSelection We leave you the compact with all the actions of a new training of the #Scaloneta.#OtraVezJuntos 🩵🤍🩵 pic.twitter.com/kItW5qhGIC
— 🇦🇷 Argentina National Team ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) July 8, 2024
The Canadian Dream
As a debutant in the Copa América, Canada deserves applause and recognition. The team managed to eliminate Chile in Group A and, against all odds, beat Venezuela in the quarterfinals.
“The game against Argentina will have to be the best we’ve ever played. We’re not going to sit back and just try to defend. We’re going to be aggressive. We’re going to try to play the way we want to play and see if we can maintain the level,” warned Canada’s coach, American Jesse Marsch, who has been in charge since mid-May.
The Canadian team lacks any standout individual talent, despite the presence of versatile Bayern Munich full-back Alphonso Davies, who is wanted by Real Madrid.
MLS Portland Timbers goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau emerged as the hero in the penalty shootout against the Venezuelans, but Canada is more characterized by its fighting spirit, physical strength and defensive solidity than by purposeful football.
Training Uncut | 07.07.24
CANMNT back on the grass ahead of Semi Final clash with Argentina
CANMNT back on the field ahead of semi-final against Argentina
Full video below.👇 // Full video below#CANMNT #CopaAmerica
— CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) July 8, 2024
Probable lineups:
ArgentinaCoach: Lionel Scaloni.
Canada: Maxime Crépeau – Alistair Johnston, Moise Bombito Lumpungu, Derek Cornelius, Alphonso Davies – Jonathan Osorio, Stephen Eustaquio – Richmond Laryea, Jonathan David, Jacob Shaffelburg – Cyle Larin. Técnico: Jesse Marsch.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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