Lionel Messi pulls strings as Argentina tame Canada in Copa América opener
Lionel Messi’s through ball led to Julián Álvarez’s goal in the 49th minute before assisting Lautaro Martínez’s goal in the 88th minute as Argentina started the defense of their Copa América title with a 2-0 win over Canada on Thursday evening .
Argentina are looking for their third straight major title after winning the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 World Cup.
With the South American Championship moved to the United States for a second time, Messi set a Copa América record with his 35th match, one more than Chile’s Sergio Livingstone of 1941-53. Messi improved his own record with his 18th assist.
Messi, who turns 37 on Monday, created the first goal when he headed a pass through the defense for Alexis Mac Allister after a throw-in. The midfielder delivered a sideways pass to Álvarez as he crashed into onrushing Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau from eight yards out. With the net almost empty, Alvarez slotted the ball over a sliding defender for his eighth goal in 32 international appearances.
Messi extended his Copa América assists record when he ran through the center of midfield and curled a pass to Martínez, who scored his 25th international goal.
Messi’s best scoring opportunity came in the 65th minute, when Crépeau made a diving stop and Messi’s attempt from the rebound was blocked by Derek Cornelius. Messi chipped wide after a one-on-one with Crépeau in the 79th minute.
He was startled by a sliding tackle from defender Moïse Bombito in the 82nd minute, but remained in the match.
Argentina plays Chile on Tuesday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, then closes the first round against Peru on June 29 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Canada takes on Peru on Tuesday in Kansas City, Kansas, and closes the group stage against Chile on June 29 in Orlando, Florida.
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Fourteen U.S. stadiums will host the tournament, which runs through June 14. Six countries from North and Central America and the Caribbean were added to the 10 South American teams.
A slow start allowed the Albiceleste of winning their previous two tournaments. Argentina opened the 2022 World Cup with a 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia and started the 2021 Copa América with a 1-1 draw against Chile.
Canada made their Copa América debut, playing their first competitive match under American coach Jesse Marsch, hired last month. Canada’s best chance came when they tested Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez in the 43rd minute. He used his left hand to punch away Stephen Eustáquio’s header.