Lionel Messi‘s Argentina claimed a decisive 2-0 victory over Canada in Tuesday night’s Copa América semifinal at MetLife Stadium, sealing their place in the tournament’s final. Despite facing an upstart Canadian team, Argentina’s journey to the final was marked by a commanding performance from their star player.
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For Canada’s Coach Jesse Marsch, a former U.S. midfielder and New York Red Bulls coach, the loss marked both a significant milestone and a learning experience. While Canada showcased their rise in soccer stature by reaching the semifinals and competing closely with the World Cup champions for the second time in three weeks, their inability to score against Argentina highlighted areas needing improvement.
“I know they’re deeply disappointed, but I’m immensely proud of them,” Marsch commented. “Our journey together over the past five to six weeks has surpassed all expectations. There’s still much work ahead, but we’ve laid a solid foundation.”
Argentina, driven by Julián Álvarez’s early goal and Messi’s second-half strike, delighted a crowd of 80,102 to advance to their sixth Copa América final in the last eight tournaments. Since their 2022 World Cup triumph, Argentina boasts an impressive record of 17 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss.
“We’re facing increasing challenges, and the expectations are high,” said Argentina Coach Lionel Scaloni through an interpreter. “Canada showed today that nothing comes easy.”
The match was a rematch from Argentina’s earlier 2-0 victory over Canada in the tournament’s opening game in Atlanta. Both teams navigated through the group stage and quarterfinals, with Argentina narrowly defeating Ecuador and Canada eliminating Venezuela.
Returning to the starting lineup, Álvarez repaid Scaloni’s faith by scoring in the 22nd minute, slipping a shot past Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. Messi extended Argentina’s lead in the 51st minute, deflecting a shot from Enzo Fernández amidst Canadian appeals for offside, which replays confirmed as unfounded.
Despite increased pressure in the closing stages, Canada lost momentum when Alphonso Davies exited with an injury, limiting their attacking options. Marsch acknowledged the team’s defensive improvement but noted a lack of efficiency in the final third.
For Marsch, coaching only his seventh match with Canada, the semifinal appearance holds personal significance, reflecting his coaching pedigree across the German Bundesliga and English Premier League. After missing out on coaching the U.S. men’s national team last summer, Marsch sees Canada’s deep Copa América run as a notable achievement.
Ranked 48th by FIFA, Canada faced significant odds against the top-ranked Argentina, a team with three World Cup titles compared to Canada’s two World Cup qualifications. The match in East Rutherford felt more like a home game for Argentina, evidenced by the overwhelming support in the stands adorned in blue and white, contrasting sharply with the few Canadian jerseys scattered among Messi’s loyal supporters.
As Canada took the field amidst whistles from Argentine fans, the semifinal loss serves as a stepping stone for Marsch’s team, showcasing their progress on the international stage despite the outcome against the formidable Argentine squad.