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| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | |||||||||
|
1
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 9 | |
|
2
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 4 | |
|
3
|
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 2 | |
|
4
|
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 1 | |
| Group B | |||||||||
|
1
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 9 | |
|
2
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | |
|
3
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | |
|
4
|
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 0 |
| Group C | |||||||||
|
1
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 9 | |
|
2
|
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 6 |
|
3
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
|
4
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 10 | -9 | 0 | |
| Group D | |||||||||
|
1
|
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 7 | |
|
2
|
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
|
3
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 4 | |
|
4
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 0 | |
Argentina move to the summit of Group A, where Peru and Chile lock horns with each other tomorrow!
Even on a night when they were not at their best, La Albiceleste have secured a win.
Neat finish from the striker, who has probably sealed the win for Argentina off the bench!
Replays suggest Otamendi did not time his run to perfection. So even if he had found the back of the net, it would've been ruled out for offside. But a glaring miss nonetheless!
The Argentina captain raced in on goal through the right, but ultimately missed the far bottom corner with his dink over the goalkeeper. That should've been 2-0..
After inputs from the officials, referee says no! And VAR also detect an offside in the process, so play resumes with Argentina in possession!
Crepeau pulls off a good save but the rebound falls into Messi's path. The Argentina captain pulls off a feint to take the goalkeeper out of the equation and attempts a clever dink over the last defender.
Unfortunately for Messi, the ball hits Cornelius on the head and deflects away from goal. How unlucky!
Fortunately for Argentina, the ball deflects off Paredes and into safety. That should serve as a warning!
The Inter Miami star could've gone down there in search of a penalty, but he did not and wins a corner instead.
Canada could've been 2-0 down in the space of just two minutes, if not for their goalkeeper there!
Messi pulling the strings there, moments like these making him the player he is!
Mac Allister races to meet it but collides with the onrushing goalkeeper. The ball falls kindly to Julian Alvarez, who calmly slots it into the back of the net.
Messi has struggled to make his mark, but we know how quickly that can change. Anything less than a win would be a massive disappointment for Argentina, the pressure is on!
Lionel Scaloni has to rally his troops to do much better if they are to win this game!
The Argentina keeper manages to keep that out before Davies fires the rebound over the bar. That was the best chance of the game, impressive from Canada!
Crepeau gathers it with ease and Canada attempt to build from the back now.
Canada really growing into this contest these past few minutes. Maybe this won't be as straightforward as we think for Argentina!
Canada fire in another shot from just outside the area, but it is blocked. Argentina looking a bit nervy at the back for the first time in this game.
The Inter star fails to hit the target with his attempt. Poor attempt, should at least work the goal keeper from there even though he had bodies in front of him.
That was a rare opportunity for Canada, but wasted in the end!
Canada must find a way to win the ball back or this could soon be 1-0!
Messi goes through on goal, but fires his shot wide of the target to his right. The linesman eventually raises the flag on the far side and Canada breathe a sigh of relief.
The effort flies well over the cross bar though, not even close to troubling Crepeau in goal for Canada!
Canada substitutes: St. Clair, Fougerolles, Miller, Waterman, Piette, Bair, Russell-Rowe, Shaffelburg, Wayne McGill, Ali Ahmed, Osorio, Laryea, Choiniere, Oluwaseyi, Hiebert
ARGENTINA XI: Emiliano Martínez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Acuña; Paredes, De Paul, Mac Allister; Di María, Julián Álvarez and Lionel Messi
When quizzed about his plans for the future, Messi said:
“As long as I feel I am well and that I am able to help, I will do it. Today, all I think about is to get well to the Copa América and play it. Fight for it again, as we always do, try to be the champions.
“If we do well at Copa América and I can keep playing, maybe it happens.”
"An organised and disciplined team will be important. We've talked a lot about that, and then an aggressive team that plays fearless, a team that goes after the game.
"The challenge with Messi is not just his quality but his ability to kind of move around in the game. He doesn't just show up in the same places all the time.
"He's very clever about coming underneath at times, about how he moves off the back line. Obviously, anytime he gets on the ball, the way that he can start to create combinations and really provide confidence and poise and quality for the team is very unique, right? This is what makes him the best player to ever play the game."
Marsch's first game in charge ended in a 4-0 loss to Netherlands, but Canada managed to hold France to a goalless draw in the other friendly match. Although they remain a side that has made considerable progress in recent past, this clash against Argentina is undoubtedly a tall order.
Canada and Costa Rica filled the final two spots of Copa America 2024, thanks to their victories over other losing Nations League quarter-finalists!
You could say this is a dress rehearsal for the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to be held across the U.S, Mexico and Canada. Additionally, Copa America 2024 also features 16 teams compared to 12 in the past.
He also scored twice and grabbed an assist in the 4-1 friendly win over Guatemala last week. Canada will have to be at their absolute best, if they are to avoid a defeat in what looks like a daunting challenge.
I know I should've known better. After all, it's finally the day we've all been waiting for - Lionel Messi's world champions are back in action at a major tournament!
I'll save you the math, it's been 551 days since that historic night at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, where Messi completed football. But the hunger to stay at the top continues to fuel him and Argentina, as they aim to successfully defend their Copa America crown.
Fasten your seat belts for this one, we've got more to follow!