Argentina kicked off Copa America with a 2-0 victory over Canada, with Alexis Mac Allister lucky to flee harm as he supplied an help.
Copa America started on Thursday evening with the hosts not in motion, with Argentina vs. Canada as an alternative the opening recreation for a event held in the USA.
It noticed Liverpool’s first of 4 gamers in motion, with Mac Allister beginning in midfield with Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo de Paul as Julian Alvarez and Angel Di Maria supported Lionel Messi in assault.
Argentina began the sport sluggishly, compelled to defend with quite a few very important blocks as Canada’s left-hand aspect of Alphonso Davies and ex-Reds winger Liam Millar threatened.
Mac Allister got here closest to breaking the impasse within the first half, ghosting into the field to fulfill De Paul’s cross solely to see his header collected.
He then performed an important position within the opener 4 minutes after the restart, racing onto Messi’s by way of ball and touching it throughout for Alvarez to brush residence.
In claiming the help, although, the 25-year-old was introduced down by a nasty problem from Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, leaving him in ache on the turf as his team-mates celebrated.
One way or the other, Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau wasn’t booked for this foul on Alexis Mac Allister forward of Julian Alvarez’s purpose for Argentina. pic.twitter.com/sNn8CJI8RQ
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) June 21, 2024
Fortunately, Mac Allister escaped harm and was in a position to play the total 90 minutes, with Crepeau maybe lucky the transfer resulted in a purpose conceded fairly than a pink card proven.
It remained a bitty recreation regardless of Argentina taking the lead, with Messi twice failing to transform with one-on-ones on the counter.
The clincher ultimately got here within the 88th minute, with Messi threading Lautaro Martinez by way of for a well-taken end and a 2-0 win.
Argentina’s subsequent recreation is in opposition to Chile on Tuesday evening, earlier than rounding off Group A in opposition to Peru late subsequent Saturday.
TyC Sports activities‘ Gaston Recondo rated Mac Allister’s efficiency a six out of 10, explaining that it “took him a very long time to get into the sport,” including that “first he was showy after which efficient.”
Hernan Claus of Ole gave him a seven out of 10, noting his “key participation” within the opener and praising him as “essential in passing.”
The Liverpool midfielder was closely concerned all through, with Messi (12) the one participant to contest extra duels for Argentina than his 11 – of which he received six – whereas solely goalkeeper Emi Martinez (eight) made extra recoveries (seven).
Per FotMob, Mac Allister additionally created the third-most possibilities for Argentina, with two, and the joint-third most touches within the opposition’s field, with 4.
