Messi drives away evil spirits! Argentina gained on the website of a bitter defeat

World champions Argentina have been the primary crew to qualify for the semi-finals of the Copa América within the US. The defending champions beat Chile 1-0 (0-0) in Group A. Within the 2016 closing, Lionel Messi and Co misplaced on penalties in opposition to La Roja on the identical venue. Canada obtained its first win of the match in a 1-0 (0-0) win in opposition to Peru along with his first Copa America aim.

Eight years in the past, Messi failed along with his shot within the penalty shootout on the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and spontaneously introduced his retirement after dropping his fourth closing. However nothing got here of it, so the 37-year-old celebrated his happiness late on Tuesday, someday after his birthday, with the reward of a aim from Lautaro Martinez (88th).

“It was a well-deserved win,” analyzed Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, however admitted: “The aim got here at a time once we did not assume it was doable anymore.

His crew had beforehand missed a number of probabilities, and Messi (thirty sixth) solely hit the put up. In the long run, Argentina remained unbeaten of their thirtieth Copa duel with their rivals throughout the Andes, though Chile gained on penalties within the 2015 and 2016 finals after 120 minutes with no aim.

In Kansas Metropolis, Jonathan David entered the historical past books as Canada’s first aim scorer within the Copa America. After canceling Miguel Araujo from Peru (59′), the 24-year-old used the benefit to attain the successful aim (74′). Shortly earlier than the half-time whistle, the sport was interrupted when the assistant referee Humberto Panjoj (Guatemala) collapsed, who was instantly transported to a hospital.

A draw in opposition to Peru (1) on Saturday is sufficient for Argentina (6 factors) to win the group. Canada (3) beneath the management of captain Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) goals for the second quarter ticket within the duel in opposition to Chile (1).