Argentina Advances to Copa America 2024 Final with Win over Canada

In Tuesday's Copa America semifinal, a star-studded South American team demonstrated its pedigree by defeating Canada 2-0 thanks to goals from Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez. Argentina is now ranked first in the world.

The 48th-ranked Canadians weren't let down by the setback in front of an energetic 80,102 spectators on a steamy night at MetLife Stadium, which is also the site of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final and the home field of the NFL's New York Giants and Jets.

The boisterous crowd was mostly red, although there were patches of Argentine blue. Argentina displayed complete class, with passing and building that at moments seemed like it came from a computer game, while Canada showed courage but lacked precise finishing.

In their first tournament match on June 20 in Atlanta, the Canadians again lost to Argentina, 2-0. In Argentina's only prior encounter, which took place in May 2010 in Buenos Aires as part of the team's last pre-World Cup warmup before the 2010 tournament in South Africa, Canada was routed by a score of 5-0.

In Sunday's title game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., Messi and the Argentines will face No. 12 Colombia or No. 14 Uruguay, who meet Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C., respectively.

"The actions of this team, the Argentina national team, are absolutely insane," Messi said. "The fact that the national team is in another final is beyond remarkable, especially for those who remain from the old guard."

Canada will travel to Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium for Saturday's third-place match.

The Argentine team's talent shone through as it skillfully maneuvered the ball about and quickly switched gears in response to opportunities presented by Canada's defense.

Canada got out to a good start, but they were down in the 22nd minute when Argentina scored from their first goal-scoring attempt. After receiving a long ball from Rodrigo De Paul, Alvarez showed great first-touch control, outmuscled Moise Bombito, and slotted a shot past Max Crepeau, who was positioned between the legs of the Canadian goalie.

After Argentina's Nicolás Tagliafico slammed Richie Laryea while attempting to contain Crepeau's goal kick, giving the South Americans control, Canadian coach Jesse Marsch and his bench were furious because they thought the referee had missed the foul. After eight touches, the ball found its way into the goal for Canada.

To Marsch's chagrin, however, referee Piero Maza of Chile allowed play to continue. After venting his frustration with the referee in the 77th minute, the Canadian coach was finally cautioned.

Messi doubled the lead in the 51st minute when, after Canada had failed to clear the ball, he slightly redirected an Enzo Fernandez shot through oncoming traffic. Even though Canada's penalty box featured eight defenders, they could not stop the danger.

Messi scored his first goal of the tournament and his fourteenth in his career playing in the Copa America after the goal was cleared for offside by video review.

Gonzalo Montiel's strong but uncalled-for challenge on Canada captain Alphonso Davies forced him off the field in the 71st minute.

Ismael Kone, a midfielder for the Canadian national team, irritated Argentina by kicking the ball into one of their injured players late in the game.

During dribbles, sand and water it splashed up from the makeshift grass field at MetLife Stadium, giving the impression that it was heavy.

Messi stated that it has been a really challenging Copa America, with highly challenging play, poor conditions, and severe heat.

The Canadian men's national soccer team stunned Colombia to win the CONCACAF championship, putting them in a position to play in their first major final since the 2000 Gold Cup.

In its first appearance in the Copa America, Canada is the lone remaining CONCACAF visitor team. Canada's men's national team advanced to the tournament's 16-team field after a March playoff victory against Trinidad & Tobago, ranked 99th, by a score of 2-1.

The Canadian squad has had a tumultuous season under the leadership of Marsch, a 50-year-old American who has brought a fresh sense of optimism and youthful energy to his team and appointed Davies captain.

As far as goaltending is concerned, Crepeau is now unrivaled in Canada. The defense has solidified around Bombito and Derek Cornelius, while the offense has flourished thanks to the play of explosive winger Jacob Shaffelburg.

After a forceful tackle on Messi in the tournament's first match, Bombito became the target of racist comments made by fans online. Additionally, Tajon Buchan, a winger, hurt his leg while practicing.

After beating Venezuela, Marsch made one substitution to the starting lineup, substituting Jonathan Osorio for Kone on the bench. Kone then scored the game-winning penalty in the shootout.

After two early counterattacks in which Shaffelburg missed the mark, Canada pressed forward to limit the Argentines.

During an Argentine counterattack in the 11th minute, Messi went for goal but missed the target. The dangerous Argentine captain almost scored twice in the first half—once with a low effort in the dying moments and again in stoppage time—but both attempts were saved by Crepeau.

Emiliano Martínez, the goalkeeper for Argentina with the national flag dyed into his hair, was called to action in the last moments of the half when Jonathan David poked the ball towards the goal from close range after an Alistair Johnston long throw-in.

Argentina has now held Canada to a scoreless first half for back-to-back games. Once Canada fell 2-0, Crepeau was again summoned to halt Alvarez.

Canada used substitutes Osorio, Tani Oluwaseyi, Mathieu Choiniere, Ali Ahmed, and Liam Millar in the second half. As time ran short, Canada threatened the South Americans, which the submarines helped set off.

In the waning minutes, Oluwaseyi had two excellent opportunities. The first was blocked in the 89th minute by an acrobatic Martinez. Afterward, the substitute Canadian saw his header miss the target.

After beating France in a penalty shootout in the 2022 World Cup final, Argentina entered the semifinals with a perfect record 16-1-1. The lone setback occurred in November during World Cup qualification, when they were defeated 2-0 by Uruguay. And last time out, they beat No. 30 Ecuador in a penalty shootout after a stalemate.

Still, Canadian artist Drake placed $300,000 for Canada to win, with a potential return of $2.88 million if his betting was successful. As is his habit, Drake uploaded the betting slip on his website.

Canada drew No. 40 Chile 0-0 and defeated No. 31 Peru 1-0 to finish second in Group A, just behind Argentina, after falling to Argentina in the tournament opener. The quarterfinal match was a penalty shootout victory for Canada against Venezuela, ranked 54th.

Argentina aims to add the 2022 World Cup to its big titles, including the 2021 Copa America. With fifteen victories, Argentina is tied with Uruguay for the most Copa America championships.

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