Messi scores, Argentina beats Canada and advances to the Copa América final

This Tuesday, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the Argentina secured their qualification for the grand final of the Copa America 2024. The Argentines beat Canada 2-0 in the semi-finals of the competition, with goals from Julián Álvares and Lionel Messi, who scored for the first time in this edition of the tournament.

Now, led by coach Lionel Scaloni, Argentina, in search of its second Copa América title, faces the winner of Uruguay and Colombia in the grand final, scheduled for next Sunday, at 9 pm (Brasília time), at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami (Florida). The Argentines will find out their opponent in the final on Wednesday night.

Canada, in turn, with a surprising semifinalist campaign, will play for third place this Saturday, at 9 pm, against the loser of Uruguay and Colombia. The match will be at the Bank of America Stadium, in Charlotte (North Carolina).

The goals

Argentina opened the scoring in the 22nd minute of the first half. Rodrigo De Paul received the ball and spotted Julián Álvarez with plenty of space between the Canadian defenders. The number 7 made a beautiful pass through to the forward, who controlled the ball, invaded the area and finished between Crépeau’s legs to bulge the net at MetLife Stadium.

🏆 #CopaAmerica

⚽ @Argentina 🇦🇷 2 (Julian Alvarez and Lionel #Messi) 🆚 #Canada 🇨🇦 0

⏱ 25′ ST pic.twitter.com/mOGM3oFtkd

— 🇦🇷 Argentina National Team ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) July 10, 2024

Argentina’s second goal came in the 6th minute of the second half of the match. After a move down the right, the ball was crossed into the area and Canada’s defense was unable to clear the danger. Enzo Fernández then got the rebound and shot. Halfway through, Lionel Messi appeared and deflected the ball, leaving the Canadian goalkeeper with nothing to do. This was the first goal for the star player who wears number 10 in this edition of the Copa América.