- Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi scored for the Argentine national team. Main photo: EFE
A goal from Julián Álvarez and another from Lionel Messi registered Argentina on Tuesday, July 9, in the final of the 2024 Copa América by beating Canada in the first semifinal. The match was played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
Argentina awaits a rival between Uruguay and Colombia, who will face each other on Wednesday 10th at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
Julián Álvarez scored the winning goals in the 22nd minute and Messi in the 51st.
Argentina will once once more play in the final of a Copa América in the United States, 8 years and 18 days following the one it lost once morest Chile in 2016.
The Copa América final will be played on July 14 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
The group led by Scaloni and commanded by Messi does not fail. Since breaking ‘the wall’ in Brazil 2021, they have linked Finalíssima, World Cup and a new final in the Copa América. They have blind faith in their possibilities, even if at times they seem stuck.
“What reassures me is that he always finds solutions,” says his coach, and that is true. Against Canada he was once once more a steamroller, deactivating the opponent when they think they are regarding to take the lead.
For the Canadians, who never dreamed of going so far, it was a bittersweet defeat, which leaves them with confidence in a process that should culminate in two years, at the World Cup that they co-organize.
Because Jesse Marsch’s team is daring. They push their defence forward by 20 metres, join their lines and don’t mind taking the initiative, even when they’re up once morest the world champions.
The first half
Three weeks following making its Copa America debut, Canada has more confidence in its chances and for 20 minutes felt capable of pulling off an upset. But it still has too much haste and lacks quality when it gets close to the opponent’s area. Just the opposite of the Albiceleste.
Scaloni’s team is having a hard time getting into games. At times they seem dominated and even walking on the tightrope, but they always end up tipping the balance due to their great quality.
Against Canada, he was stunned by a couple of Jacob Shaffelburg chances and seemed to only be able to create danger when Messi and Di María connected. The captain had a couple of opportunities to make his debut in this Copa América, but he was unlucky. His shots went close to the post (m.11 and 44).
It didn’t matter. The champion’s offensive range allows them to draw on their resources, while waiting for the number 10 to score. Whether it’s Lautaro Martínez or, as in this semi-final, Julián Álvarez, in the starting line-up.
This time, Rodrigo de Paul’s skill was enough to filter a pass between Alistair Johnston and Moise Bombito and Julián appeared there, with his ability to finish off Maxime Crepeau’s exit with quality. 1-0, Canada back to earth following 23 minutes of dreaming.
The Americans, who felt the blow, might have tied the game in extra time, but Jonathan David, alone once morest Emiliano Martínez following a throw-in, might not find a way to overcome ‘Dibu’, who is once once more decisive when called upon.
Second time
That was the end of their chances. After half-time Argentina were not going to let their place in the final be taken away from them. And to make things complete, the captain scored six minutes into the second half, deflecting a shot from Enzo Fernández, while Derek Cornelius’ slow exit prevented the offside.
2-0 and the semi-final is settled. With the scare of Alphonso Davis, who left the tournament injured, new missed chances inside the Canadian box and a carousel of Argentine substitutions, the team is now thinking regarding the final in Miami, which will be attended by the winner of Uruguay-Colombia on July 10.
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2024-07-11 01:11:31
