Lionel Messi and Argentina kicked off their Copa America 2024 marketing campaign towards Canada, and the reigning champions reminded the world simply why they’re the favorites to win the event after a 2-0 win over Jesse Marsch’s aspect.
Argentina started their celebrations at Mercedes-Benz Stadium earlier than their match even kicked off. Sergio Aguero offered the 2021 Copa America trophy in entrance of an overwhelmingly pro-Argentine crowd, after which La Albiceleste took the pitch and began their quest to go back-to-back.
How the sport unfolded
Argentina dominated possession within the first half, controlling the tempo of the sport as Canada held a excessive line and appeared for alternatives on the counter assault. The primary massive likelihood of the evening got here within the eighth minute after Kone misplayed a ball in his personal half, gifting Di Maria the chance to fly up the pitch fully unmarked. Crepeau was fast off his line, although, and closed down the angle to make an excellent save.
Argentina discovered just a few extra half-chances within the first 45 minutes, nevertheless it was Canada that ended the half wanting the extra harmful aspect due to flashes from Buchanan and Davies. Emiliano Martinez even denied a harmful header from Eustaquio proper earlier than each groups retreated down the tunnel, deadlocked at 0-0.
Argentina got here out of halftime with a renewed focus, discovering the sport’s opening aim in simply the forty eighth minute. Mac Allister was via on aim from a intelligent Messi ball earlier than the Liverpool midfielder collided with Crepeau, leaving Alvarez free to fit dwelling a right-footed shot with out the goalkeeper upright.
Lionel Scaloni’s males by no means appeared uncontrolled within the second half, even when Canada confirmed indicators of promise on the assault. A second aim felt inevitable for Argentina, particularly after Messi missed two possibilities he would usually bury. Lautaro Martinez, the 76th minute substitute, gave his finest case for a place within the beginning XI after effortlessly linking up with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to seal the sport simply two minutes earlier than stoppage time.
GK: Emiliano Martínez – 7/10 – The 2022 World Cup Golden Glove winner was not examined too typically tonight, however got here up massive when Argentina wanted.
RB: Nahuel Molina – 7/10 – Molina had an uneventful evening on the suitable aspect of the pitch, however the defender made hardly any errors.
CB: Cristian Romero – 8/10 – Romero used his physicality to bully David off the ball a number of instances and helped decrease Canada’s possibilities within the ultimate third.
CB: Lisandro Martínez – 7/10- Martínez helped Romero preserve a clear sheet and in addition pitched in with just a few pinpoint lengthy balls ahead. He virtually awarded Canada a penalty within the 71th minute, although, however the poor problem was simply outdoors the field.
LB: Marcos Acuna – 6/10 – Acuna did properly to search out area and have interaction within the assault within the first half, however had a reasonably forgetful second half that might result in Tagliafico claiming the beginning spot again subsequent match.
CM: Rodrigo de Paul – 6/10 – Rodrigo de Paul had a median evening for La Albiceleste. He gave up just a few expensive fouls and was proven a yellow card for a blatant handball, however he additionally contributed to the assault, discovering Mac Allister with a pleasant cross within the first half.
CM: Leandro Paredes – 7/10 – Paredes’ contributions won’t at all times seem on the scoresheet, however the midfielder helped Argentina management the sport, and at all times stepped in when he wanted to assist out on protection.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister – 7/10 – Mac Allister assisted Alvarez’s opening aim and paid for his contribution with a collision into Crepeau.
RW: Ángel Di María – 7/10 – Di Maria was essentially the most energetic participant on the pitch within the first half for Argentina, however he ought to have buried at the very least certainly one of his evident possibilities.
ST: Lionel Messi – 7/10 – Messi supplied the help for each of Argentina’s targets, however he couldn’t end two blistering counter assaults within the sixty fourth minute and the 78th minute.
LW: Julián Álvarez – 8/10 – Alvarez took benefit of his begin tonight, scoring Argentina’s opening aim and utilizing his tempo to chop in behind Canada’s lackadaisical protection.
Substitutes
Giovanni Lo Celso – 5/10 – Lo Celso performed a comparatively quiet 27 minutes, and ended the sport with a yellow card.
Lautaro Martinez – 8/10 – Martinez made an virtually on the spot impression on the pitch, linking up with Messi and scoring Argentina’s second aim within the 87th minute.
Nicolas Otamendi – 5/10 – The previous starter got here on within the 81st minute and did not should do a lot.
Nicolas Tagliafico – 5/10 – The as soon as beginning left-back for La Albiceleste solely performed 6 minutes.
Supervisor
Lionel Scaloni – 8/10 – Scaloni made the suitable determination beginning Lisandro Martínez at center-back over Otamendi because the Manchester United defender appeared in good concord with Romero. The supervisor additionally opted to begin Paredes and Mac Allister within the midfield whereas leaving Enzo Fernandez on the bench, a controversial determination that paid off.
Argentina’s win won’t stop Scaloni from extra powerful choices in the way forward for the event. Each Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored tonight, giving their supervisor fairly the headache heading into Argentina’s match towards Chile.