Lionel Messi once again showcased his brilliance as he led Argentina into the Copa America final with a commanding 2-0 victory over Canada on Tuesday night. Scoring his 109th international goal—and his first of the tournament—the 37-year-old captain demonstrated why he remains a pivotal figure in international football.
The evening at MetLife Stadium was electric, with over 80,000 fans—predominantly clad in Argentina’s iconic blue and white—cheering fervently. Julián Álvarez opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, skillfully navigating past defenders before slipping the ball between the legs of Canada’s goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau. The crowd erupted as Argentina took the lead.
The momentum continued into the second half. In the 51st minute, Messi capitalized on a deflected shot from Enzo Fernández, redirecting the ball into the net off Crepeau’s face. This goal not only solidified Argentina’s dominance in the match but also edged Messi closer to breaking records, as he now trails by three goals in Copa America play to match the all-time high.
Despite the challenging conditions on the temporary grass surface, with water splashing and sand kicking up, the Albiceleste maintained their composure. Messi orchestrated plays with ease, coming close to scoring on multiple occasions throughout the match.
Canada, making one of their most significant appearances on the international stage, fought valiantly. However, key moments slipped away, including opportunities thwarted by Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. The loss was compounded when their star player, Alphonso Davies, was substituted in the 71st minute due to injury.
With this victory, Argentina extended their unbeaten streak to ten games. The team is now poised to claim a record 16th Copa America title as they face either Uruguay or Colombia in the final at Miami Gardens, Florida. Achieving consecutive Copa America championships alongside their 2022 World Cup triumph would place Argentina in the esteemed company of Spain’s national team, which secured back-to-back European Championships and a World Cup between 2008 and 2012.
Fans worldwide, including those within Asia’s passionate football communities, are eagerly watching Messi’s journey. His rivalry with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo—who holds the international goals record at 130—adds an extra layer of excitement to the tournament.
As the football world turns its eyes to the upcoming final, anticipation builds. Will Messi lead Argentina to another historic victory, or will an upset await? One thing is certain: the passion and drama of Copa America continue to captivate fans across the globe.
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Messi's 109th goal for Argentina leads them into Copa America final
cgtn.com
