World champions Argentina opened their bid for back-to-back Copa America titles with a 2-0 win over Canada in entrance of a crowd of 70,564 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday. Julian Alvarez put Argentina forward within the forty ninth minute however a mixture of impressed goalkeeping from Canada’s Max Crepeau and Lionel Messi‘s shocking lack of precision in entrance of objective ensured that the underdogs have been within the recreation till Lautaro Martinez settled the competition within the 88th minute.
Backed by an enormous assist decked out in mild blue and white striped shirts, Argentina absolutely deserved their victory however Canada, ranked forty eighth on the earth, can take loads of credit score for the best way they fought with the 15-time Copa America winners.
Alvarez, most popular to Lautaro as Messi’s strike companions in assault, had the primary alternative when he charged down an tried clearance from Ismael Kone and broke away.
However the Manchester Metropolis striker took a heavy contact as he bore down on Canada keeper Max Crepeau, who was in a position to smother the ball.
Messi, who grew to become probably the most capped participant in Copa America historical past, making his thirty fifth look in what’s his seventh match, then went near an opener himself however his angled shot from the left flashed simply extensive of the far submit.
Whereas the Argentines have been exploiting gaps within the Canadian defence, Jesse Marsch’s crew have been nonetheless competing in midfield and creating some half-chances for themselves.
Alphonso Davies and Liam Millar each had pictures blocked contained in the field and Tajon Buchanan screwed an effort from a good angle extensive within the thirtieth minute.
The primary true save of the sport got here within the fortieth minute, although, when Alexis Mac Allister’s stooping header from an Angel Di Maria cross was effectively handled by Crepeau.
However Argentina wanted their goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, to be at his absolute best to make sure they went in on degree phrases on the interval.
Cyle Larin’s cross from the proper wing was met with a strong header from close-range from Stephen Eustaquio however Martinez’s sharp response save stored the sport goalless.
Break impasse
However it took lower than 4 minutes of the second half for Argentina to interrupt the impasse — Messi threaded a move by to Mac Allister, who was introduced down by Crepeau, however earlier than the referee may blow his whistle Alvarez had slotted residence the unfastened ball.
Inside moments, there was one other likelihood for Alvarez, however this time denied by the diving Crepeau and Canada may reside to struggle on.
They did so with extra urgency and slightly extra danger after coach Jesse Marsch launched winger Jacob Shaffelburg and switched to an attacking 4-3-3 formation.
Instantly the Argentine defence was beneath strain and did not have a look at all snug as Canada received males ahead and exploited the extensive areas.
However they have been virtually caught out with a basic counter-attack as Martinez launched a fast lengthy ball in direction of Messi, who broke means goalwards however with the group anticipating to see the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner on the right track he made a hash of the prospect.
His preliminary effort was parried by Crepeau and though Messi latched on to the unfastened ball and sought to go around the keeper, his shot was simply cleared by the overlaying Derek Cornelius.
Extremely there was one other nice alternative for the previous Barcelona star to seek out the goal and once more he was unable to transform — reducing in from the proper with solely Crepeau to beat, Messi opened up his physique however slid his shot extensive of the submit.
Crepeau was at his greatest once more to maintain out substitute Lautaro as Argentina struggled to place the sport to mattress however with two minutes of regular time remaining they did simply that.
Messi produced one other scientific, defence-splitting move and this time Lautaro made no mistake, slipping previous the advancing Crepeau to make it 2-0.
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