Lionel Messi’s brilliance propelled Argentina to the Copa America final with a 2-0 victory over Canada.
The Inter Miami forward’s second-half goal, deflecting Enzo Fernandez’s shot past goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, doubled Argentina’s lead established by Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez’s early strike.
Argentina’s victory marks their sixth appearance in the Copa America final in the last eight editions, a testament to their enduring dominance in the competition.
While this final may mark the end of Angel di Maria’s international career and potentially Messi’s as well, the team remains focused on the present moment.
Messi, expressing his joy after the match, acknowledged the special nature of this tournament:
“Let’s enjoy what we are experiencing as a national team, as a group. It is not easy to be in a final again, to compete again to be champions.”
He also hinted at the possibility of this being his final Copa America.
Coach Lionel Scaloni hopes both Messi and Di Maria will continue their international careers. He emphasized their importance to the team and the door remaining open for their return.
Canada, despite the loss, showcased their potential in their inaugural Copa America appearance. Early chances from Jacob Shaffelburg were squandered, and despite Jonathan David’s close-range attempt, they couldn’t break through the Argentine defense.
Coach Jesse Marsch acknowledged his team’s disappointment but emphasized their pride in their overall performance. He sees this tournament as a crucial step in their development and is hopeful for the future, stating, “We’ve put together some incredible performances, just starting our process.”
The Copa America semifinals continue with Uruguay facing Colombia on Thursday, July 11th, and the final scheduled for Monday, July 15th.
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