Argentina saw off Canada with minimal fuss in their Copa America semi-final matchup in New Jersey, though Jesse Marsch’s side might think they could have made more of the attacking situations they created.
By James Nalton
The defending champions reached the final in Miami with a 2-0 win at the MetLife stadium, the home of NFL sides the Jets and the Giants and the venue for the 2026 World Cup final, thanks to goals in each half from Julián Álvarez and Lionel Messi.
Though this South American tournament was being played in North America, the stands for this game were filled with the blue and white of Argentina, most wearing Messi shirts.
There were pockets of the red and white of Canada, but this was a distinctly Conmebol crowd, despite the tournament being played on the northern side of the Americas.
On the pitch, Argentina didn’t really get out of first gear. In the final, when they face either Uruguay or Colombia, they might be made to pay for some of their defensive lapses in transition.
As it was, Canada created some good moments but didn’t have the quality to execute on the break.
Argentina sauntered out of East Rutherford with what was, in the end, a comfortable win.
Messi finds the spotlight at the right time
Having had a couple of measured first-half sighters go off target, Messi’s first goal of the tournament was a more instinctive, poachers effort.
Lurking in front of the goal as the ball found its way to Enzo Fernández on the edge of the area, he was perfectly placed to turn the ball past Maxime Crépeau.
At first, it looked like he might have been offside, but Messi had taken advantage of a ragged Canada back line that was slow to regroup as the ball was half cleared.
Messi seems to be getting into the mood at just the right time. Prior to this game, his only goal contribution was one assist in the group stage opener against the same opponent, and he also sat out the group game against Ecuador completely.
If coach Lionel Scaloni has got his timing right, Messi could peak at this tournament at the final in Miami, where he currently plays his club football in Major League Soccer. The story is set for it.
Canada almost cause trouble
For Canada, it felt like they had great opportunities to create good chances, rather than a case of them missing chances.
The pass before the chance, and some composure in their buildup play, was lacking.
The New Jersey heat may have affected the energy levels of the players to some extent, and much of Canada’s game is built around a tireless work rate on and off the ball. Still, this was far from a slow-paced game and in some ways suited Marsch’s tactics.
They constantly had their eye on the counter-attack, even if they were not effective at executing it. Nevertheless, they posed a continuous threat via this route to goal, on the off chance one such move might come off.
A couple of their biggest chances fell to substitute Tani Oluwaseyi later in the game, and though they weren’t entirely clear-cut, he might be disappointed to not see at least one of them find the net and make for a nervous final few minutes for Argentina.
The stats tell a tale of one team creating two big chances and scoring them, and another creating two big chances and missing them.
At least Canada now know they can trouble the heavyweights of international football, and have something to build upon.
Emiliano Martínez could be as important as Messi
Argentina’s goalkeeper isn’t usually far from the spotlight when he dons his national team colours. Colours that are currently dyed into his hair.
On one occasion, a clearance of his, hit high into the humid night air, hit the Skycam — the camera which is suspended from each corner of the stadium roof and follows the action around the pitch from above.
Martínez must have thought it was getting too close to the pitch and sent it a warning.
Despite Canada’s general wastefulness, the Aston Villa man did have to make a couple of stops in this game. A close-range effort from Alphonso Davies tested his concentration as much as his reflexes.
This wasn’t his most challenging of tests, but the opponents in the final are likely to be more effective in the final third than Canada.
With the ever-looming possibility of a penalty shootout in such a final, Martínez will continue to relish his role as one of the big characters who helps define this successful Argentina team.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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