Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his aspect’s second aim in opposition to Canada throughout a Copa America semifinal match in East Rutherford, N.J., on July 9, 2024.
| Picture Credit score: AP
Defending champions Argentina booked their place within the Copa America last after objectives from Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi gave them a 2-0 win over Canada in July ninth’s semi-final in New Jersey.
Argentina have received a joint-record 15 Copa titles and reached the ultimate six instances up to now eight editions however Canada precipitated them issues within the opening 20 minutes, with Jacob Shaffelburg twice taking pictures huge from promising positions.
After absorbing the early strain Argentina went forward when Rodrigo De Paul performed by means of Alvarez, who ghosted in between two defenders to attain with a tidy end within the twenty second minute.
2022 World Cup winners Argentina regularly took management of the match and Messi had an opportunity to double their lead within the forty fourth minute as he created area within the field with silky footwork earlier than lashing his effort huge.
Canada practically snatched an equaliser in opposition to the run of play in first-half stoppage time as Jonathan David sneaked in forward of his marker to get on the top of a protracted throw, however his close-range shot was hit straight at goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Messi then scored Argentina’s second within the 51st minute when he caught out a boot to divert Enzo Fernandez’s shot from the sting of the world previous Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.
The aim moved Messi to joint fifth within the all-time Copa America scoring charts, degree with Peru’s Paolo Guerrero and Chile’s Eduardo Vargas on 14.
The 37-year-old’s 109th aim for Argentina additionally noticed him surpass Iran’s Ali Daei on the all-time worldwide scoring charts. Messi is second behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 130 objectives for Portugal.
Regardless of their two-goal cushion, Argentina had a nervy end to the match as Canada substitute Tani Oluwaseyi examined Martinez with a crisp shot within the 89th minute earlier than directing a glancing header huge a minute later.
Argentina will tackle both Uruguay or Colombia, who meet on July 10, within the last in Florida on July 14.
