Argentina defeated Canada 2-0 in Tuesday's Copa America 2024 semifinal at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to advance to the competition's back-to-back finals. The goals of Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez helped the side defeat a formidable Canadian squad.
Argentina avoided a scare in their most recent encounter as Ecuador put up a strong fight. Lionel Scaloni's team was on the verge of reaching the semi-finals until Ecuador's Kevin Rodríguez scored in the last minutes. Emiliano Martinez was the hero after rescuing them in the penalty shootout. La Albiceleste will have something to think about after failing to exert their supremacy against Ecuador.
By reaching the competition's semi-finals in their first year, Canada has made history. After placing second in their group, they accomplished it with outstanding style. In the quarterfinal, they were sent to Venezuela, where they ultimately prevailed by penalty shootout. It was an exciting game that they could have won sooner if they had taken a risk.
Lionel Messi becomes second-highest international goalscorer
Lionel Messi surpassed Iran's Ali Daei to become the all-time second-highest international goal scorer in history after scoring in Argentina's Copa America 2024 semifinal match against Canada on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Before the match, the Argentine was equal with Daei for second place in active international goalscoring with 108.
Messi had La Albiceleste's opening opportunity of the game, shooting barely wide of the post from beyond the area. Argentina took the lead after 23 minutes when Alvarez ran onto Rodrigo de Paul's ball and finished past the goalie. Messi could have made it two just before halftime, but he skied a shot wide after weaving between two Canadian defenders.
He made no mistakes after the interval, redirecting Enzo Fernandez's powerful shot into the net from close range. Canada, for their part, had opportunities in the second half, putting together a series of deadly attempts. They lost steam, however, when Alphonso Davies left the game with 20 minutes remaining due to an apparent ankle injury.
On Sunday, Argentina will play Uruguay or Colombia in the Copa America title match.
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