Argentina vs Canada, Copa America Semi-Final Highlights: Alvarez, Messi Take Argentina Into Final With 2-0 Win

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Argentina Enter Final

That’s It! The referee blows the full-time whistle as Argentina wrap up a 2-0 win to enter the final of the Copa America. They will face either Colombia or Uruguay in the title-decider on Sunday.

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Canada Almost Make It 2-1

A poor challenge from Nahuel Molina makes him first Argentina player to go into the referee’s book. Canada finally seemed to have got themselves a big chance but Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi’s shot is saved by Emi Martinez’s legs. Just a minute, later Oluwaseyi’s goes wide of the post. Two big chances missed.

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Canada Struggling To Create A Chance

Less than 8 minutes to go, excluding injury-time but not urgency from Canada yet to try and reduce the deficit. Ball still spending more time in the middle of the park than near the Argentina penalty box. Time is running out fast.

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Three Changes By Argentina

Three changes for Argentina as Exequiel Palacios is brought on as a substitute for Alexis Mac Allister. Angel Di Maria is going to make way for Nicolas Gonzalez. Julian Alvarez also gets replaced by Lautaro Martinez.

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Scrappy Canada Squander Another Chance

Scrappy play in the box sees Canada squander another opportunity. The Canadians have done well to get the ball into the box at times but have looked too rushed while looking to put an attempt on goal. Same story, same result, again!

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Two Changes For Canada

Two changes for Canada. Mathieu Choiniere is on for Stephen Eustaquio while Jonathan Osorio comes on for injured Alphonso Davies.

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Alphonso Davies Struggling To Continue

An excellent tackle by Argentina’s Montiel has hurt Canada’s Davies bad. He tried to continue after getting medical attention but seems to be in a lot of pain. He has to walk out of the pitch and has to be substituted. 

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: One Substitution For Each Team

For Argentina, Nicolas Tagliafico has been replaced by Nicolas Otamendi while Jonathan David is replaced by Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi for Canada.

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Argentina Almost Make It 3-0

Another counter-attacking opportunity for Canada but Argentine defender Christian Romero ends the attack with a sliding tackle. Argentina then looked to break at the other end through Julian Alvarez but his shot his straight into the chest of the Canadian goalkeeper.

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Liv: The Lionel Messi Goal

Here’s a look at the Lionel Messi goal:

THE GOAL COUNTS FOR LIONEL MESSI. WE ARE SO BACK pic.twitter.com/IDwbsxqCWX

— L/M Football (@lmfootbalI) July 10, 2024

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Second GOOOAAAAL For Argentina

Lionel Messi finally finds a goal for Argentina, through the slightest of touches after a shot from a teammate. But, VAR intervenes to review the goal and it’s a valid one. It’s also Messi’s first goal of the tournament.

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Canada Still Toothless

The second-half is underway and there doesn’t seem to be any change in approach from either of the two teams so far. Midfield battle still deciding most of the game. Alphonso Davies with a fine attacking move early in the second-half, but the end product still remains messy. 

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: 60-40 Possession Split In First Half

We aren’t far away from the second half and only one goal separates the two teams after the first 45 minutes. Spain enjoyed more possession, 60-40 to be precise in the first half and they would look to repeat the same in the second half. It’s all about what Canada coach Jesse Marsch has planned for the remainder of the match.

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: David’s Equalising Attempt Saved

Jonathan David’s attempt from point-blank range saved by Emi Martinez. The Argentina goalkeeper made himself big, closing the narrow angle that David had. That’s also the half-time whistle and Argentina head into the break with a 1-0 lead. Lionel Messi might not have scored the opening goal but he has been central to his team’s dominance in the game. Canada have to come up with a much-improved plan in the second half if they are to make a comeback in the game.   

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Lionel Messi’s Effort Just Wide

Di Maria makes a brilliant run on the right flank before crossing the ball towards Alvarez who leaves the ball for Messi. The Inter Miami man looks to find the back of the goal using his right foot but his effort is just wide.  

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Canada Lacking Penetration

Plenty of ball wins for Canada in the middle. The Canadian midfielders have done well to take ball off the feet of Argentina players but have looked clueless thereafter. Still not many real chances to celebrate but Canada aren’t out of the game yet. 

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Di Maria’s Audacious Attempt

Angel di Maria, the former Real Madrid, looked to chip the goalkeeper from the edge of the box but he put a little more power behind the ball than his should have. Canada survive. It’s still 1-0 to Argentina. Lionel Messi also put left-back Tagliafico on goal but his attempt was blocked.

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Change In Approach But Same Result For Canada

Canada switch approach, now looking to build patiently from the back, looking to keep more of the ball than they have until now. But, the problem still remains in the final their where they’ve looked quite toothless so far. 

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: The Julian Alvarez Goal

Here’s a look at the Julian Alvarez goal:

JULIAN ALVAREZ GOAL FOR ARGENTINA!!! MY STRIKER SHOWING UP IN TBE COPA AMERICA pic.twitter.com/dAkisXq9iw

— Jacky (@MCFC_Jacky) July 10, 2024

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Another Half-Hearted Attempt From Canada

Alistair Johnston of Canada swings a cross into the box, but he fails to cause any trouble to Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who handles the attempt quite well. Canada need to be a lot better in the final third of the pitch.

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Julian Alvarez With The GOAL

Argentina finally take the lead and it’s the Manchester City man Julian Alvarez who finds the back of the net. The Canadian defence switched off and Rodrigo de Paul easily found Alvarez for the opening goal. 

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Messi Drops Deep But Argentina Looking Toothless

Lionel Messi dropping deep to help Argentina better in build-up play but the movements by other forwards in front of him haven’t been at its best. 20 minutes gone and Argentina still haven’t tested the Canadian goalkeeper. 

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Opportunity Squandered By Canada

Canada’s three vs Argentina’s two gave them a big opportunity but poor passing in the final phase of the move  saw them squander an opportunity. Alphonso Davies then produced another such moment for Canada before Jonathan David and Cyle Larin made a mess of it.

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Argentina Enjoying 70% Possession

A lot of possession but not many meaningful chances for Argentina yet. Mac Allister looked to put Lionel Messi through on goal with a cheeky pass but it was cut out by the Canadian defence. Messi has tried to make such runs on three different occasion in the last few minutes but Canada defenders remain on guard. It’s still quite locked in the middle.

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Lionel Messi Puts The Shot Wide

The GOAT Lionel Messi finally found an opportunity to test the goalkeeper from just outside the penalty box. His shot, however, misses the right post by a whisker. Argentina slowly looking to get the game more under their control.

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Another Early Chance For Canada

Canada turning defence into attack quite quickly and that seems to be causing problem to Argentina. Jacob Shaffelburg unleashes a shot and sends it just wide of the right post. Promising signs for Canada. 

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: First Corner For Canada

Richie Laryea earns his team’s first corner and sends it into a huddle of Argentine defenders and one of them makes a good clearance. Nothing concrete for the Canadians from this opportunity.

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Argentina Keeping Possession

No rush from Argentina to get the ball to Lionel Messi as
they look to build patiently from the back. Ami Martinez has already had quite
a few touches as a goalkeeper as Canada look to put pressure on their defence
by high press.

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America semi-final Live: Alphonso Davies Key for Canada

This is indeed the biggest game in Canadian football history
and the man who holds the key for them against Canada is Bayern Munich
left-back Alphonso Davies. A victory today for Canada will make headlines all
across the globe. It’s to get the action underway! 

Argentina vs Canada, Copa America Semi-final LIVE: National Anthem Time

Both Argentina and Canada players have lined up inside the stadium for the national team. Not long before the action begins at the Metlife stadium of New Jersey.

Copa America Semi-final LIVE: Argentina vs Canada Starting XIs

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Copa America semi-final between Argentina and Canada. Here’s how the two teams are lining up: