Argentina certified for his or her second consecutive Copa America closing by beating Canada within the semi-final (2-0), because of a objective from their iconic captain. Lionel Messiwho declared to dwell “his final battles” with the Albiceleste, Tuesday night in East Rutherford (United States).
Already victorious on the Copa America in 2021, then on the World Cup in 2022, the Albiceleste will defend their title on Sunday in Miami, in opposition to the winner of the opposite semi-final between Colombia and Uruguay on Wednesday.
“I dwell it as if I had been residing my final Copa America… These are my final battles and I’m profiting from them“, savored the 37-year-old Argentinian quantity 10 after the victory.
“It is a robust, hard-fought Copa, on pitches in poor situation, in excessive temperatures, with robust groups, and we’re completely satisfied in these circumstances to achieve the ultimate as soon as once more.“, added the Inter Miami participant.
“Let’s depart him alone, he is aware of that we cannot be those to shut the door on him. He may be with us each time he desires. Let him resolve what he desires“, reacted the coach Lionel Scaloni, weighing up his captain’s feedback.
Massive favourites in entrance of 80,000 spectators at MetLife Stadium, the Argentinians, led by the veteran duo Angel Di Maria (36 years previous) and Leo Messi, by no means actually trembled in opposition to the Canadians, shocking semi-finalists for his or her very first Copa America.
Taking their possibilities on counterattacks, the Reds created two possibilities within the first ten minutes, however Jacob Shaffelburg missed his shot every time.
Argentina rapidly discovered the benefit in the midst of a primary half that they managed: from midfield, Rodrigo De Paul served Julian Alvarez within the center, who removed a defender and crucified Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau with a shot between his legs (twenty third).
A sens distinctive
The remainder of the sport was one-sided, although the Canadians created a number of possibilities on the finish of the primary interval and on the very finish of the match. Energetic within the offensive animation, Messi tried his luck in entrance of objective, however his two pictures went vast (twelfth, forty fourth) within the first half.
On coming back from the locker room, the “For cash” was lastly rewarded. After an overflow on the precise aspect, the ball, poorly cleared, got here again to the ft of Enzo Fernandez, whose shot from the sting of the realm discovered Messi (51st) who deflected into the Canadian objective. The Reds briefly hoped that the VAR would cancel the objective for offside, in useless.
With this achievement, the Argentine captain scored his 14th objective in six editions of the Copa America (2007, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024). Sufficient to spice up his morale after a missed penalty shootout throughout the session in opposition to Ecuador within the quarter-finals.
With this victory, Argentina is now only one match away from a historic treble that may see them win two Copa Americas with a World Cup in between. To take action, they should overcome flamboyant Colombia, who had been cruel within the quarter-finals in opposition to Panama (5-0), or Uruguay, who eradicated Brazil on penalties.
