Having met in the opening game of the 2024 Copa America, Argentina and Canada face each other for a second time in the tournament in this semi-final clash at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
By James Nalton
Canada are perhaps the unexpected presence at this stage and are the one remaining Concacaf representative, but for Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina, this was always their likely route to what they hope will be an appearance in the final in Miami on Sunday.
The draw seemed favourable to Argentina’s progress to a final in which Messi, if available, will play near the current home of his club side, Inter Miami, who play in Fort Lauderdale. It will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, but to presume the presence of Argentina and Messi is guaranteed would be disrespectful to Canada.
Canada’s progress was assisted somewhat by poor performances in the group stage by Peru and Chile whose draw with each other meant neither took the upper hand.
But Canada’s quarter-final meeting with Venezuela turned out to be one of the games of the tournament so far. Two teams who have punched above their weight battled it out, eventually settling a breathless duel on penalty kicks.
Jesse Marsch will need to take the positives from the fact his side should have been well ahead at half-time but only led 1-0. If they get similar chances against Argentina, they’ll need to take them.
Only one team has created more big chances than Canada in this tournament — Argentina.
Lautaro Martínez tops the scoring charts having scored in each group game, including a brace against Peru.
He managed this despite only playing the final 15 minutes or so in the opener against Canada and the second game against Chile in which his goal off the bench was the only one of the game.
It’s no surprise, then, that Martínez also leads the way for goals per 90 at this tournament, but it is a surprise, and maybe a demonstration of his knack for getting into good positions for shots, that he also leads the way for total xG accumulated despite his limited minutes.
It will be difficult for Lionel Scaloni to leave him out as he did in those first two games but against Canada, Martínez will be facing one of the standout goalkeepers of the tournament so far in Maxime Crepeau.
Crepeau, who plays his club football in MLS for Portland Timbers, was out of position for the goal scored by Venezuela’s Salomon Rondon in the quarter-final (see here), but in terms of stopping shots, he is third in the tournament for ‘goals prevented’ and third for saves per 90 with an average of four.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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