Lionel Messi leads Argentina to 2-0 win over Canada in Copa America opener – but the defending champions have plenty of room for improvement

Lionel Messi lifted the curtain on the Copa America but took time to take center stage before Argentina defeated Jesse Marsch’s rugged Canada 2-0 in Atlanta.

A sublime through ball from Messi in the 47th minute broke open Canada’s stubborn defence, with Julian Alvarez firing into an empty net after Alexis Mac Allister was clattered by goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau. And after Messi missed a series of chances in the second half, substitute Lautaro Martinez scored with two minutes remaining.

But if this is the beginning of the end and Messi’s ‘Last Dance’ at an international tournament – as the man himself expects – the World Cup winners will need to find a different pace to their game, more authority in midfield and some late defensive passing as their star man must sign off with a third international trophy.

The first 10 minutes were brilliant from Argentina. Leandro Paredes tried his luck from 25 yards and his threatening right-footed strike just failed to trouble Crepeau.

And four minutes later they should have scored. Angel Di Maria charged in a pass from Canada’s last man as they tried to recycle play from their own corner and found themselves with the entire half of the pitch with Messi next to him.

Alexis Mac Allister got the assist, but was awarded a goal after diverting Lionel Messi’s through ball

There was silent celebration before it became clear the Liverpool man was not seriously injured

But the Canadian defense responded brilliantly, racing back to force it wide before Crepeau easily parried a shot from a position that should have yielded more.

Messi then raced across the goal with his left foot but dragged his shot painfully wide before being flagged for offside. Canada held on, but it felt like a warning as Argentina brushed the dust off the gears.

However, Marsch’s men held firm and their response to the danger spoke volumes of the belief he had instilled after just three games with this team. On the eve of the match, he called on them to be fearless against Argentina and he was not let down, even in defeat.

Alphonso Davies, Canada’s captain, was ruthless down the left and set the tone for his team to harass and harass their illustrious opponents. As Argentina threatened to take control in their lively start, Canada’s work rate increased and Messi and his men’s grip on the match was reduced so much that a Mexican wave even went through the stadium.

Mac Allister came close with a soft header, but Canada should have taken the lead before halftime. Cyle Larin’s chipped ball from the byline was met by Stephen Eustaquio, but his header from six yards was punched away by Emiliano Martinez.

It was a huge letdown for Argentina, and how different things could have been if the Porto man had put it away.

Messi spent much of the first half on the edge of the game. As is so often the case, the man everyone wants to see is hiding in plain sight, but he took Eustaquio’s header as a cue to hunt for the ball. Just seconds before the half-time whistle, he slalomed in from the right and let go with the left, but his effort sailed harmlessly wide.

Messi missed several chances in the second half to control the game for his team

He lay down on the turf and buried his head on the ground after his deft chip bounced wide

However, it was a sign of things to come. Two minutes into the break he cleared the score by playing in Mac Allister with a sumptuously weighted through ball.

The Liverpool man looked hurt when Crepeau crashed into him after pushing possession into Alvarez’s path, but after a few worrying moments it was clear the goal had come at no great cost to the defending champions.

Alvarez almost scored again moments later, with Crepeau deflecting his low right-footed strike.

Messi then had a great opportunity to double the lead, with Davies misjudging a long ball over the top – his only mistake of the evening – which Messi controlled wonderfully on the run.

Crepeau rushed back out and between him and Davies, passed Messi’s first shot and the rebound spun awkwardly for the striker, who could only control it with his back to goal. Canada forced the ball away, and dangerous living seemed to give them life.

Davies caused chaos with a cross/shot that snaked out of Martinez’s net, to anguished shouts from the 70,564 fans packed into the Mercedes Benz Stadium. Martinez then had to bravely pounce on Alistair Johnson’s ball into the six-yard box.

Canada could have scored a goal before halftime: Stephen Eustaquio’s six-yard header was saved

Messi sees a shot blocked in a difficult first half for Argentina against Canada

The 36-year-old was often pushed out of possession by a hard-working Canadian team

With ten minutes to go, Messi raced onto a long ball from another of his unmarked positions wide on the right, exposing Crepeau but lifting the ball over him and seeing it bounce off the wrong side of the far post.

The pair appeared to collide, but that happened by accident. It took Messi a minute to get back to his feet, his face pressed into the ground in frustration at another missed opportunity. Martinez missed an identical chance a minute later, shooting straight at the Canadian keeper as Messi released him.

In a frightening moment, Messi appeared injured by Moise Bombito’s last-ditch slide challenge to block the pass, making strong contact with his right ankle instead. But after a minute of treatment, Messi was back on his feet and thanks to Martinez making no mistake on his second big chance, Argentina saw the game from there.

It wasn’t his best night, but Messi still did enough to turn the match in his team’s favor with a moment of magic before Alvarez’s opener.

But another performance as wasteful as this, against a team more ruthless than Canada, and Argentina is up for grabs.