Lionel Messi and Argentina face Canada in the 2024 Copa America semifinal on Wednesday, aiming for back-to-back titles. Argentina, who defeated Canada 2-0 in their Group A opener on June 20, secured their place in the semifinals with a 4-2 penalty shootout win after a 1-1 draw with Ecuador. As 15-time Copa América champions, Argentina seeks to continue their dominance and add another title to their legacy.
Canada has the chance to become only the second CONCACAF team to reach the Copa America final when they face reigning world champions Argentina on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium. Both teams advanced to the semi-finals through dramatic penalty shootouts. This sets the stage for an exciting clash as Canada seeks to make history against the formidable Argentine side.
However, there is one crucial detail in their path to the semi-finals - Argentina recently won against Canada. This fact could prove decisive in this rematch. Who has learned the most about their opponent? Will this be a revenge for Canada or a rematch for Argentina?
Only one team will emerge victorious and play in the final in Miami, that's for sure.
If Argentina has been the favorite to win Copa América from the start, they are even stronger favorites to beat Canada once again. Argentina, unbeaten in 9 competitive matches with only 3 goals conceded during that period, enters the semifinal aiming to extend their streak to 10 matches without a loss and secure their spot in the final.
A semi-final triumph would mark the first time they have reached the Copa America final as defending champions since 1959, when two editions of the tournament occurred in the same year, with the Argentines finishing second in the second round. Lionel Scaloni's men have conceded just once in this competition so far, against Ecuador in the 1-1 draw.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON: Forward Lautaro Martinez is having an outstanding tournament, with four goals in four games, leading the scoring charts. He is expected to start against Canada.
ARGENTINA predicted lineup vs Canada: E. Martinez (GK) - Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Lo Celso, Gonzalez; Messi, La. Martinez.
Not since the 2001 Copa America have we seen a CONCACAF nation advance to the final of this competition, when Mexico lost to Colombia 1-0 after beating Uruguay 2-1 in the semis. Canada understands they are underdogs, but they also realize they have nothing to lose on Tuesday, even the opportunity to extend their success story by one more game.
Although they have lost both of their previous encounters with Argentina by a 7-0 margin, their 2-0 loss to them in the opening match at the Copa America is the only time the Canucks have lost to a CONMEBOL side in a continental tournament this century.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON: Forward Jonathan David, 24, is a key player in the Canadian attack. He has scored 27 goals in 53 appearances, including the decisive goal in their 1-0 win against Peru in the group stage on June 25.
CANADA predicted lineup vs Argentina: Crepeau (GK) - Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies; Osorio, Eustaquio; Laryea, David, Shaffelburg; Larin.
Argentina opened the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Canada, but it was not as one-sided as the scoreline suggests. Canada matched Argentina shot-for-shot, each side putting seven efforts on goal, and the Canadians had the better opportunities in the first half.
While Argentina took control in the second half, Canada showed they could compete with the world champions. Throughout this competition, Canada has only allowed three goals, all of which came after halftime. They even took an early lead against Venezuela in the quarterfinals, with Jacob Shaffelburg scoring within the first 15 minutes.
While Canada may struggle to hold off Argentina for the full 90 minutes, they have demonstrated resilience, fight, and the ability to frustrate their opponents.
However, I think that their saga ends here and that they instead have to fight in the match for third prize. Canada will score - but also lose.
Let's get ready for rumble!
ARGENTINA v CANADA
3.00
ARGENTINA TO WIN BOTH HALVES - YES
ARGENTINA v CANADA
3.00
ARGENTINA TO WIN BOTH HALVES - YES
