Argentina’s men’s national football team beat Canada 2-0 and secured a spot in the Copa América final. Lionel Scaloni’s team makes a return to the continental tournament’s final after winning the title in 2021. The Albiceleste will face the winner of the duel between Colombia and Uruguay on at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on July 14.
The Albiceleste didn’t have an easy game on their hands. Canada had pushed them all the way in the tournament opener and proved a tough rival once again. Les Rouges looked to press Argentina high up the pitch from kick off, blocking the passing lanes and reducing the time Argentine players had on the ball.
That, along with a ball that bounced erratically on a pitch that was in poor condition, allowed Canada to limit the Albiceleste and create dangerous chances for itself on the counter, with long balls into space in behind.
As the match progressed Scaloni’s team was able to wrangle control of the match. In the 22nd minute, midfielder Rodrigo de Paul played a long pass for striker Julian Álvarez, who was able to control the ball inside the box and score the 1-0.
Argentina remained in control for the remainder of the first half, and could have doubled its lead 43 minutes in when Messi dribbled past a defender and hit it low and hard, but his strike went just narrowly off the goal.
In the second half, Argentina increased its advantage early on, when a scruffy play in the 51st minute allowed midfielder Enzo Fernández to get a shot off, which Lionel Messi deflected for the 2-0.
It was the Rosario native’s first of the tournament, meaning he has scored in six out of seven Copa Américas since 2007. It makes him the second highest scorer in international football with 109 hits, tied with former Iranian striker Ali Daei and behind only Cristiano Ronaldo’s 130 strikes.
With Argentina more comfortable in the lead, Scaloni’s team sat deeper, denying Canada the chance of using the space behind the defense. The match slowed down and it became easier for the Albiceleste to keep the ball and move it around the pitch.
In the 77th, Scaloni made his last round of substitutions, allowing Ángel Di María to exit the pitch with the entire stadium chanting his nickname of El Fideo. He will play his last game with the Argentine national team in the final on Sunday. Despite a few scares in the closing minutes, where Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez made a key save, Argentina wrapped up the game to secure a final spot.
Messi and Dibu
“What this team has achieved is incredible,” said Messi after the game. “It wasn’t an easy tournament, we had great rivals, very tight games and very bad pitches. We’re enjoying everything we are going through. It’s never easy to reach a final, so we have to take advantage of it.”
Like Di María, the Argentine captain, 37, is rumored to be playing his last games with the Albiceleste. He wasn’t shy about that fact. “I’m living it as I do everything lately. I’m enjoying my last Copa América like I enjoyed my last World Cup. I know these are my last battles, so I relish it all,” he added.
Martínez also highlighted the importance of reaching the last game of the tournament. “We’re proud to make it. It’s my fourth final with this shirt, but it feels like the first,” he said. Despite missing out on a repeat of his FIFA The Best Goalkeeper in 2023, the Mar del Plata native claimed he’s playing better than ever in this Copa América: “I always say the best is yet to come, I work for it and I feel better and better on the pitch.”