There is Argentina. There’s the all-time champion defending his continental crown, opening the Copa América in the United States. In his own way, there is personality, there is hunger, there is seriousness and there is success. With magical passes from his genius Lionel Messi and screams from his two center forwards, Julián Alvarez and Lautaro Martínez. The most important thing is that everything happened in a complex, tough match, because Canada showed itself to be tough and dangerous.
Not only did Messi achieve a few more records for his career. It also lights up some crack flashes. At the start of the second period, he drew a sensual pass for the massive Alexis Mac Allister, with the goalkeeper giving a penalty that was not sanctioned as Alvarez stepped up and dispatched it, breaking a personal drought of 875 minutes when the selection no celebrations. And in the epilogue, he ended the uncertainty with another assist, in this case for Lautaro to celebrate.
Leo just loses his purpose. He only yelled at her three times. Twice in the same action, after excellent service by Dibu Martínez. First, Crépeau blocked his left foot from below. And on the rebound, the 10th goalkeeper was dizzy and he scored with class, but the ball headed for the goal collided with the body of the defender Cornelius, who closed in desperation. And the next time, again facing the goalkeeper, he kicked wide.
Argentina is not just Messi. It’s the same team it’s been for a while. They held the ball, but Canada was wise to wait, giving way to two central markers, Cuti Romero and Lisandro Martínez, and to cover the Albiceleste midfielders and complicate their preparation.
The development is fascinating because Canada is not lagging behind. Sometimes he advances his defense, taking risks. So Argentina threatened to attack large open spaces with a long or cross ball. There was a hint of purpose in both areas as Jesse Marsch’s team responded and worried on the wings, especially Alphonso Davies.
Playing to make the goal situations count, there was relative parity in the first half. However, in the second, with Canada’s legs more tired and after Julián scored the first, Argentina found several opportunities to finish him off. Leo is not the only one who failed to convert. Also at some point Canada might tie it, it’s true. But this would be very unfair. Argentina and Messi deserve to start with a smile. Here is the champion. Here’s the genius. They want more.
match lineup
23
26
8
7
13
25
Eleven
5
9
10
twenty
16
2
19
8
fifteen
13
17
7
9
10
23
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Maxime Crepeau16
88′
Alistair Johnston2
88′
Alphonso Davies19
60′
Ismaël Koné8
80′
84′
Moise Bombitofifteen
Derek Cornelius13
93′
67′
Tajon Buchanan17
58′
76′
Stephen Eustaquio7
48′
75′
Cyle Larin9
79′
Jonathan David10
Liam Miller23
84′
Replacements
Dayne St. Clair1
Tom McGill18
Luc De Fougerolles3
88′
Kamal Miller4
88′
Joel Waterman5
Richie Laryea22
79′
76′
Kyle Hiebert26
Samuel Piette6
67′
90′
Ali Ahmedtwenty
Jonathan Osoriotwenty-one
84′
Mathieu Choinière24
Theo BairEleven
Jacen Russell-Rowe12
84′
Jacob Schaffelburg14
58′
75′
87′
This is Oluwaseyi25
coach
Lionel Scaloni
Jesse Marsh
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
