Messi's Goal Leads Argentina (2-0) Victory vs. Canada Copa America Semi-Final (7/9/24) #copaamerica

Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez lifted top-ranked Argentina past Canada as the star-studded South American side showed its pedigree in a 2-0 win in the Copa America semifinal on Tuesday.

Despite the loss, the 48th-ranked Canadians did not disappoint before a lively crowd of 80,102 on a hot, humid night at MetLife Stadium, home of the NFL’s New York Giants and Jets, as well as the venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

The loud crowd was largely clad in Argentina blue although there were pockets of red. They saw a gutsy performance from Canada, albeit one lacking in clinical finishing, and pure class from Argentina, whose passing and buildup were straight out of a video game at times.

The Canadians also fell 2-0 to Argentina when they met in the June 20th tournament opener in Atlanta. Argentina thumped Canada 5-0 in their only other meeting, in May 2010 in Buenos Aires in the Argentines’ final warm-up before the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Messi and the Argentines will play either No. 12 Colombia or No. 14 Uruguay, who meet Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C., in Sunday’s championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

“It’s insane what this team has done, what the Argentina national team is doing,” Messi said. “For those who remain from the old guard, it’s beyond impressive that the national team is in another final.”

[leoroberts]

Awesome perspective on this (and other) sporting events…! Your commentary is gold!!!❤