Argentina Begins Copa Campaign with Solid 2-0 Win Over Canada
Julian Alvarez gave Argentina the lead in the 49th minute. Still, a combination of the excellent Canadian goalkeeper Max Crepeau and Lionel Messi’s surprising inaccuracy in front of goal kept the underdogs in the game until Lautaro Martinez scored in the 88th minute.
Supported by a huge fan base in light blue and white striped shirts, Argentina thoroughly deserved their victory, but Canada, ranked 48th in the world, can take a lot of credit for how they battled with the 15-time Copa America winners.
Alvarez, who was preferred to Lautaro as Messi’s strike partner in attack, had the first opportunity when he deflected a free-kick attempt from Ismael Kone and fired over.
However, the Manchester City striker got too close to Canadian goalkeeper Max Crepeau, who managed to keep the ball out.
Messi, who became the most capped player in Copa America history with his 35th appearance at his seventh tournament, almost scored the opener himself. Still, his shot from an acute angle from the left side went just wide of the far post.
While the Argentinians exploited the gaps in the Canadian defense, Jesse Marsch’s team fought in midfield and created a few half-chances.
Alphonso Davies and Liam Millar were blocked in the penalty area, and Tajon Buchanan shot wide in the 30th minute.
The game’s first real chance came in the 40th minute when Crepeau well-saved Alexis Mac Allister’s header from Angel Di Maria’s cross.
But Argentina needed their goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to show all his skills to equalize.
Stephen Eustaquio headed in Cyle Larin’s cross from the right wing from close range, but Martinez produced a strong reaction save to prevent the goal.
Final whistle
In the second half, it took less than four minutes for Argentina to seal the deal: Messi played a pass to Mac Allister, who Crepeau brought down, but before the referee could blow the whistle, Alvarez had put the ball in the net.
Alvarez had another chance just moments later, but this time, he failed to beat Crepeau, and Canada was able to fight on.
After the substitution of winger Jacob Shaffelburg and the switch to an attacking 4-3-3 formation, Canada went about their business with more vigor and a little more risk.
Suddenly, the Argentinian defense was under pressure and no longer looked comfortable as Canada stormed forward and exploited the vast spaces.
The Canadians almost went behind on a classic counter-attack when Martinez played a long ball to Messi, who ran in alone on goal, but the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner failed to hit the crossbar.
Crepeau blocked his first attempt, and although Messi grabbed the ball and tried to round the goalkeeper, Derek Cornelius quickly cleared his shot.
Incredibly, there was another excellent chance for the former Barcelona star, but he could not capitalize: He cut inside from the right and had only Crepeau in front of him, who opened his body up, but his shot went past the post.
Crepeau again had to summon all his skill to deny substitute Lautaro as Argentina struggled to win the game, but with two minutes of average time remaining, they did just that.
Messi again played a clever pass into the heart of the defense, and this time, Lautaro made no mistake, slotting the ball past the onrushing Crepeau to make it 2-0.
