Argentina comfortably defeated Canada 2-0 in the semi-finals of the 2024 Copa América, securing their ticket to their second consecutive Copa América final.
Messi’s second-half goal was the stab Argentina needed to advance to the Copa America final
Lionel Messi broke his Copa America goal drought and Julián Álvarez also found the back of the net as Argentina cruised to Sunday’s tournament final with a relentless 2-0 win over Canada at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday night.
We rate Argentina’s players from MetLife Stadium.
GK: Emiliano Martínez – 6/10 – Martínez kept his fourth clean sheet of the tournament tonight, facing just two shots on target.
RB: Gonzalo Montiel – 5/10 – Montiel didn’t have much of a chance to start in the championship game, and was an unexpected selection for Lionel Scaloni’s starting lineup. Jacob Shaffelburg took advantage of the right back’s speed, and virtually all of Canada’s risky counterattacking opportunities came from Argentina’s right side.
CB: Cristian Romero – 6/10 – Romero was once again a brick wall in La Albiceleste’s defence, helping Emiliano Martínez keep another clean sheet.
CB: Lisandro Martínez – 6/10 – Martínez did his job tonight and minimized Canada’s chances in the final third.
LB: Nicolas Tagliafico – 5/10 – Tagliafico put in another solid performance tonight, but the left-back was also caught out by Richie Laryea on numerous occasions on the left flank.
CM: Rodrigo De Paul – 8/10 – Once again, De Paul made numerous mistakes in midfield, but the Atlético de Madrid player made up for it by assisting Argentina’s first goal with a perfect pass and has 9 wins.
CM: Enzo Fernandez – 6/10 – Fernandez was the deepest of Argentina’s three midfielders tonight, and often had to drop into the byline to receive the ball to distribute play and drive Argentina’s attack forward. The midfielder provided an assist tonight on Messi’s goal.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister – 6/10 – Made up for a lot of mistakes from Argentina’s midfield in the first half. Mac Allister helped Argentina maintain possession and control the tempo of the game. He also did well to drop back in defence when asked to do so.
RW: Angel Di Maria – 5/10 – Di Maria was handed his first start since Argentina’s opening game of the 2024 Copa America. The winger was eager to bring players on and link up with Messi, but lacked the end product in the final third.
ST: Julian Alvarez – 7/10 – Alvarez showed his coach why he should start up front for Argentina, scoring his first goal and effectively putting pressure on Canada’s back line to help his team regain possession.
LW: Lionel Messi – 7/10 – Messi looked much more comfortable tonight compared to his performance against Ecuador. The Inter Miami player had plenty of touches, created multiple scoring opportunities and eventually found his first goal of the tournament.
SUB:
Nicolás Otamendi – 5/10 – Otamendi replaced Tagliafico as the left-back was in danger of missing the final if he received another yellow card.
SUB: Nahuel Molina – 5/10 – Molina was expected to start tonight, but the right-back only played 19 minutes plus stoppage time.
SUB: Lautaro Martínez – 5/10 – After scoring in his first three games, Martínez has failed to find the net in the knockout rounds.
SUB: Nicolás González – 5/10 – González came on to refresh his legs in midfield in the 78th minute, earning a standard five.
SUB: Exequiel Palacios – 5/10 – Palacios made his second appearance of the tournament, resting Alexis Mac Allister for the final 12 minutes of the game.
