Argentina are just one win away from defending their Copa America title. Lionel Messi broke his goal drought in the 2-0 win over Canada in the semi-final
When he stopped Canada’s joker Tani Oluwaseyi from making it 2-1 in the 89th minute with a foot save, Emiliano Martinez raised his fists to the sky as he lay down. After this save at the latest, it was clear what the final whistle officially sealed a little later: Argentina are back in the Copa America final and can not only defend the title on Monday night (CEST), but also become the sole record winners.
The Albiceleste did not make it too exciting in the semi-final. While coach Jesse Marsch’s Canadians had given the favorites a wild ride in the opening Copa match (0:2), Argentina’s 2:0 victory this time was controlled and confident. In front of 80,102 spectators at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Julian Alvarez scored the opener in the 22nd minute after a beautiful pass from Rodrigo de Paul – which Lionel Messi extended this time
The captain and Copa record player, who was four goals short of equaling the Copa record scorers Norberto Mendez (Argentina) and Zizinho (Brazil) before the tournament, achieved personal redemption six minutes after the break: he deflected a shot from Enzo Fernandez into the net from the five-meter area to score his first goal of the 2024 tournament, his 14th in total.
The captain was less fortunate at the other end: Alphonso Davies, who could leave FC Bayern this summer, had to be substituted in the 64th minute after apparently injuring his ankle in a tackle. At least he was able to leave the pitch without assistance
Davies has to leave the pitch – Can Argentina complete the double?
Offensively, his team-mates, who had advanced to the semi-finals with only two goals, did not manage enough to make the game exciting again. Nevertheless, Marsch and his team can look confidently towards the 2026 World Cup at home after this Copa debut. Before then – possibly without Davies – the match for third place awaits on Sunday (2:00 CEST).
The Argentinians, who started with eleven world champions in their starting eleven, have the chance to become the third nation after Uruguay and Brazil to win the Copa directly after the World Cup title. The final hurdle is Uruguay or Colombia, whose semi-final clash will take place in Charlotte on Thursday (2 a.m. CEST). One thing is already clear: no host team will win the South American championship in 2024 either
