Argentina, inspired by Lionel Messi, beats Canada in Copa América opener

Argentina began its Copa América title defense with a 2-0 victory over Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Thursday.

Lionel Messi broke a record for appearances that had stood for more than 70 years by playing his 35th Copa América match and was at the heart of Argentina’s goals from Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.

Canada, appearing for the first time in this expanded edition of the Copa América, were heavy underdogs against the 15-time champions but wasted several promising chances to get on the scoresheet.

“This team creates scoring chances and defends like lions,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after the match. “Yesterday I said Canada was going to be a tough opponent and it was a good test for us. The important thing is that the team always responds, regardless of how the match is going.

Both teams created chances during a lively first half, played in front of more than 70,000 supporters. Ángel Di María was unable to complete a one-on-one when Argentina counter-attacked from a corner, while Alexis Mac Allister saw his header saved by Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.

Canada’s best chance of the half fell to Stephen Eustáquio, but his header was saved by Emi Martínez before Alphonso Davies missed the follow-up.

However, it was Argentina who took the advantage at the start of the second half.

Messi picked out Mac Allister with an excellent pass, and although the Liverpool midfielder failed to shoot, tangling awkwardly with Crépeau, he set up Álvarez for the opening goal.

Messi had two chances to score when he found himself behind the Canadian defense, but the first time he was denied by the rearguard efforts of Crépeau and Derek Cornelius, and the second time his shot was passed the left post.

Jonathan David missed an open header – perhaps Canada’s best chance of the match – between Messi’s two breakaways, before Argentina ended the match with a superb team goal.

Brilliant build-up play saw Messi find Martínez, who fired a shot between Crépeau’s legs to make it 2-0.

Argentina are now on a nine-match unbeaten run in the Copa América, having won the 2021 tournament as well as their third-place play-off against Chile in 2019. The Albiceleste will play group stage matches against Chile then Peru in the coming days.

A victory in this year’s competition would be Argentina’s third consecutive trophy at major tournaments after winning the World Cup in 2022.

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