Argentina is back to the Copa America Final as they top Canada in New Jersey #2329
Argentina 2 Canada 0FT
We are back at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for the Copa America semifinal between Argentina and Canada. It has been somewhat of an underwhelming tournament in many ways. The quarterfinals featured four penalty shootouts Columbia beating Panama was the only match in the quarterfinals that didn't go straight to penalties. however, that could primarily be the case because at this tournament after 90 minutes it goes straight to penalties. Argentina has blown anybody away but has been sufficient. They intend to defend their crown in this semi-final looking to punch their ticket into the final. Argentina ended up in a group with Canada, Chile and Peru. Argentina ran the table with three victories in the group stage. In the quarterfinal, It was a 1-1 draw with Ecuador as a late equalizer by Ecuador. forced the match into penalties. Lionel Messi missed his penalty in the shootout however it didn't matter. Emilio Martinez's heroics were the difference as Argentina progressed on penalties. meanwhile, Canada finished second in the same group. also took a 1-1 draw with Venezuela before ultimately beating Venezuela on penalties. Canada made their first ever Semi-Finals at the Copa America. Canada and Argentina faced off in the first match of the tournament. it was a 2-0 victory for Argentina. a massive opportunity for Canada to do something they've never done equally. Argentina has no intention of letting go of its crown. they have the possibility of holding three major tournaments all at the same time. if they are to win the competition. they will take a chance at his history if they manage to get through Canada. The semi-final stage is set as Argentina battles against Canada in New Jersey.
Canada unsurprisingly aiming for an aggressive start. Canada needs to get off to a fast start or it's going to be over quickly. In the 5th minute, Jacob Shaffelburg drags an effort from the left side of the box over the right corner. Canada would hit back again in the 7th minute. Canada got on the attack it was Jacob Shaffelburg Yet again, however, this time it came much closer and he looked to pick out the bottom corner but narrowly drags wide as he tried to pick out the bottom right corner but mishandled it slightly. although eventually, Argentina was going to get going. they moved the ball very well. got into the attacking areas fairly easily. In the 12th minute, Angel Di Maria delivers a ball to Lionel Messi. he pulls up from distance as he searches for his first goal of this Copa America However, It splits to the right side. Argentina only built incompetence after that. In the 17th minute, Julian Alvarez goes for the audacious strike as he attempts to catch the goalkeeper slipping striking from out of this area. code from 35 m out but can't land the ambitious effort. However, he would have his chance again. not long after. In the 22nd minute of the break, he is released into the box by Rodrigo de Paul. Junie Alvarez bursts by the initial defender for getting pressed a moment later is a little bit of a complicated touch, but he controls the ball before sending it in between the goalkeepers' legs. It takes the deflection on the end As it flies into the Back of the net as Argentina. take a 1-0 lead. This to a degree took the energy out of the building for Canada. They had a decent start but could not maintain it. Argentina now sitting with the lead In a comfortable position. Argentina does not concede many goals. It could be a bit of trouble for Canada now. In the 34th minute, Argentina looks to double the advantage. Angel Di Maria goes for distance The Benfica winger lifts the ball going for the top right corner. it is narrowly wide as it pops on top of the corner Canada finds themselves very lucky to be still only just a goal down. A minute later a deflection from Olympic Lyon fullback Nicolás Tagliafico sets up a corner for Argentina. Lionel Messi drives the ball in Lisandro Martinez gets his head on the end of it but can't drive it home like he did in the quarterfinals The score remains the same. In the 45th minute, Lionel Messi came close with a pair of chances from outside the box and went to the left. one went to the right. then in the last possible chance of the first half. Jonathan, David tries to make something happen for Canada He drives a strike from the left side of the box but Emilio Martinez gets on top of it making the save. the first half comes to a close as Argentina holds a 1-0 lead in New Jersey in this semi-final thanks to Julian Alvarez.
Canada started very well but momentum quickly shifted towards Argentina. Once Argentina took the lead things got a lot more complicated. knowing Argentina's defensive record it now was going to be quite difficult for Canada to come back and make something happen. however, it still 45 minutes to keep themselves alive. However, the feeling of a comeback for Canada quickly was killed just minutes into the second half. in the 51st minute, Enzo Fernandez strikes from outside the box. it takes a slight deflection it flies forward Leno Messi in an onside position right behind the defense and puts at his foot. Hooking the ball into the bottom right corner as Argentina. take a 20 lead. any sort of Hope of Canada coming back and forcing it into a penny shootout was ended in its tracks right there as Argentina doubled the advantage. It was completely in Argentina's control now. in the 61st minute, Angel Di Maria delivered a through ball to Julian Alvarez The Manchester City Forward struck on goal but was denied by the keeper. shortly after the chance Canada's Ismaël Koné goes for distance as he strikes from outside the box. the new Marseille signing can't capitalize as Argentina remains firmly in the driver's seat. In the 62nd minute, he was trying to make things happen again for Canada Ismaël Koné This time ops for for the left side of the box. it took a deflection as Argentina got on top of it before regaining control. Argentina used their possession to their advantage for the majority of the remaining parts of the second half. However, Canada looked for a consolation goal in the 89th minute. Liam Miller misfires from distance. Then in the 90th minute, Tani Oluwaseyi from close range is denied by Emilio Martinez. the full-time whistle goes at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey as Argentina earns a 20 victory. Argentina returns to the final.
The defending Champions Argentina will have an opportunity to defend their crown in the Copa America final. Argentina is on the precipice of holding three major trophies at the same time. the only team to ever have done this is Spain from 2008 to 2012. That Spain side is Miles better than Miss Argentina. however, if things go right in the final, they could be on the verge of History. they have made the Copa America final four of the last five tournaments. Argentina was always going to beat Canada. Canada should be incredibly proud of themselves. the fact they were able to get into a semi-final at the Copa America while Mexico and the United States failed to get out of the group. although they sell short against Argentina, this will give them a springboard of confidence going into the World Cup in 2026. Canada's team overall is not talented enough to have huge expectations, but if they can get to the semi-final here, perhaps they can go a little bit further at the World Cup. Argentina has been good for the final. they have not been overly strong. however, they have done enough to make the final and give them the platform to possibly defend the Copa America. they won in 2020. Argentina will play the winner of Columbia and Uruguay. in all likelihood, they will not be the favorite to win it in the final. Uruguay and Columbia both have proven That they are threats to be reckoned with. Both have looked better than Argentina at this tournament. However, in a final Argentina will be confident that they can get the job done and do enough to do so. However, at the very least, we know now that Argentina is back in the Copa America final after dispatching Canada with a 20 victory in New Jersey.
