Argentina Advances to Copa America Final with 2-0 Victory Over Canada
In a riveting semifinal clash, defending champions Argentina secured their place in the Copa America final with a 2-0 triumph over Canada. The match, held, saw Lionel Messi score his 109th international goal, his first of the tournament, as Argentina continued their pursuit of a record 16th Copa America title.
First half dominance from the outset. The Albiceleste took control early in the game. Julian Alvarez opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a well-executed goal.Rodrigo De Paul initiated the play with a precise long pass from the center circle. Alvarez, showing exceptional control, maneuvered past Moise Bombito and calmly slotted the ball between the legs of Canadian goalkeeper Maxine Crepeau. This goal marked Alvarez’s ninth in 35 international appearances, setting the tone for Argentina’s dominance.
The second half saw Lionel Messi, the legendary forward, add to his illustrious career. In the 51st minute, Messi capitalized on an opportunity created by Enzo Fernandez. Following a throw-in, Messi sent the ball to De Paul, who made a dynamic run to the end line and cut the ball back. A misjudged clearance by Ismael Kobe sent the ball to Fernandez, whose shot was deftly redirected by Messi past Crepeau. This goal was Messi’s 28th in his last 25 matches for Argentina and his 14th in Copa America play, putting him just three goals shy of the all-time record.
The victory came on Argentina’s Independence Day, further adding to the celebrations. The Albiceleste extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games and now aim to emulate Spain’s historic feat of consecutive European Championships and a World Cup win by capturing back-to-back Copa Americas around their 2022 World Cup triumph.
The atmosphere at MetLife Stadium was electric, with a crowd of 80,102 fans enduring 82-degree temperatures and high humidity. The vast majority were Argentina supporters, creating a sea of blue and white that overwhelmed the sections of red-clad Canadian fans. The passionate Argentine fans had gathered in Times Square on the eve of the match, filling the streets of Manhattan before making their way to the stadium, the future site of the 2026 World Cup final.
For Canada, this semifinal was one of the most significant matches in their soccer history. Their previous major successes included the 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup and appearances in the 1986 and 2022 World Cups, where they failed to win a match. Alphonso Davies, Canada’s star player, had a notable but unfortunate moment when he limped off in the 71st minute following a clean challenge with Gonzalo Montiel, a significant blow to Canada’s efforts.
Argentina now looks forward to the final, where they will face either Uruguay or Colombia at Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday. With Messi leading the charge, Argentina is poised to secure another historic title and continue their reign at the pinnacle of international soccer.
As Messi, who recently turned 37, continues to chase records and add to his legacy, Argentina fans worldwide will be eagerly watching, hoping to witness another moment of glory in their storied football history.
