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Argentina vs Canada live updates: Lionel Messi scores as world champions reach Copa America final
Argentina beat Canada to reach final
Defending champions Argentina will play either Uruguay or Colombia in the 2024 Copa America final after they comfortably defeated Canada 2-0.
Canada made a bright start to the match in New Jersey but Argentina took the lead when Julian Alvarez latched onto Rodrigo De Paul’s through-ball and confidently beat Maxime Crepeau.
Lionel Messi scored Argentina’s second shortly after the halftime break when he diverted Enzo Fernandez’s shot into the net. It was Messi’s first goal of the tournament.
Canada threatened late on but Argentina preserved their clean sheet and will be expected to defend their crown when they take to the pitch for Sunday’s showpiece final in Miami.
GO FURTHER
Lionel Messi scores his first goal of Copa America 2024, Argentina heads to the final again
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Instant reaction to Argentina's semifinal win over Canada
The Athletic's Paul Tenorio, Felipe Cardenas, Joshua Kloke and Adam Crafton were on hand in New Jersey tonight to take in Copa America's first semifinal, and they have unpacked the big talking points from Argentina's win, including:
- How Lionel Messi scored his first goal of Copa America 2024
- How Argentina opened the scoring
- Whether Lionel Scaloni made the right decision to start Julian Alvarez over Lautaro Martinez
- Whether Canada missed their chances
- How Jesse Marsch managed the game
Follow the link below to check out their breakdown!
GO FURTHER
Lionel Messi scores his first goal of Copa America 2024, Argentina heads to the final again
Di Maria on his coming international retirement
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Angel Di Maria spoke about his coming retirement from international football after this tournament: "Whatever happens (in the final) on the 14th, I think I can leave through the front door. I gave everything.
"I always gave my life for this shirt. There were times when it didn't happen for me and lately it has. I am grateful to everyone who supported me."
Marsch laments team's fatigue, lauds progress
Jesse Marsch speaking after Canada's loss: "The tournament caught up with us a little bit... In the end, we're still in the beginning of our process, right? Argentina has maybe had eight years together, seven years together with this team. And so we need to develop more players that can contribute so that we can also rotate in tournament play, because eventually the physicality and the fatigue can catch up with you. And that was a big part of what happened with us today.
"I think in general, what I said to the team afterwards is: I know that they're very disappointed, but I'm very proud of them. You know, we've put together some incredible performances... We need to continue to challenge our group to come together and be able to perform in moments like this, but in general, we've had a wonderful five weeks together, six weeks together, and and it's gone way better than any of us could have scripted, so there's still a lot of work to do, but we've built a really good foundation and I'm really optimistic about what the future can look like.
"I took this job seven weeks ago. I couldn't have imagined that I'd be right here, right now, right? So I'm really happy with the team and really happy with the progress."
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Emi Martinez on reaching another final
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Emiliano Martínez also spoke after Argentina's win: "It is a source of pride for me as an Argentinean, as a representative of this national team, to play in another final.
"It is my fourth final with this national team, but I feel as if it were the first one.
"I said that the best Emi was yet to come. I work every day for that."
Alvarez: Doesn't matter if we face Colombia or Uruguay
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Julian Alvarez, scorer of Argentina's first goal tonight, also spoke after his team's win: "It seems easy after everything we've been doing, but it's not. We deserve it, we have been working very well.
"I'm one of the first players up there, I try to help the team. Now it doesn't matter which opponent we play."
Messi enjoying his 'last battles'
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Lionel Messi spoke to Argentina's social media channels after the match, saying: "It is a difficult cup, very hard, with hot temperatures. The fact that we are in a final once again is to be celebrated.
"It's crazy what this group has done, what the Argentine national team has been doing.
"These are the last battles and I'm enjoying them to the fullest."
'Good showing for Canada'
Other Canada supporters on our discussion page had more positive reactions to tonight's match.
Zach C.: Good showing for Canada, just not enough finishing ability. Hats off to them for making it this far. Hope to see an Argentina/Colombian final
Mary F.: Canada y'all should be really proud. Fought hard!
Ragnar P.: I admire Jesse Marsch and Canada so much for playing a relatively positive, open game. That they’ll likely be punished is obvious. It’s awesome to see them go for it.
'Rodrigo De Fall!'
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Looking over the comments on our discussion page, Rodrigo De Paul clearly caught the ire of many Canada supporters tonight.
Jordan G.: De Paul is softer than baby thighs
Pascal M.: Rodrigo De Paul is the biggest clown
John M.: Rodrigo De Paul=Rodrigo De Fall!
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Messi passes Ali Daei
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With his goal in the 51st minute, Lionel Messi also broke a tie with Ali Daei to move into sole possession of second on the list of men’s all-time international scorers.
The Argentine now has 109 career goals – only Cristiano Ronaldo (130) has scored more goals in men’s international football.
Argentina in third final in three years
Argentina are now one win away from an unprecedented Copa America-World Cup-Copa America treble.
No South American team has ever accomplished that feat. The only similar accomplishment in world football history was Spain's run of Euro-World Cup-Euro trophies from 2008 to 2012.
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Two big chances for Oluwaseyi
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89' Argentina 2-0 Canada
Argentina give the ball away right on the edge of the box, gifting Canada one of their best chances of the night, but Oluwaseyi can't manage to beat Martinez in goal.
A minute later, Oluwaseyi has another chance with a free header in the center of the box but puts it wide of the far post.