In a thrilling Copa America 2024 opener, Lionel Messi showcased his resilience and skill, ultimately securing Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Canada with a crucial late assist at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The match drew an enthusiastic crowd of 70,564 fans, who watched Messi tirelessly pursue opportunities to score. Early in the game, Messi tracked a long pass from his goalkeeper, but his initial shot and subsequent rebound attempts were blocked by Canada’s staunch defense, including standout goalie Maxime Crépeau.
Despite multiple missed chances, Messi remained undeterred. In the 88th minute, he delivered a decisive assist to Lautaro Martinez, sealing Argentina’s win and marking Messi’s historic 35th career start in Copa America. He also became the first player to record an assist in seven different Copa America tournaments.
“I had a few situations to score goals. We could have taken control of the match earlier and been calm,” Messi said post-game. “I’m happy for the victory and to start the tournament with a win.”
Throughout the game, Argentine fans continuously cheered Messi, chanting his name and celebrating every attempt. His persistence was rewarded not with a goal, but with a critical play that defined the match’s outcome.
The game was not without its physical challenges. Messi briefly had his left knee evaluated after a collision with a Canadian defender. Despite the tough play and a slick synthetic turf that coach Lionel Scaloni criticized, Argentina managed to adapt and prevail.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game and Canada would be a hard team to go against,” Messi acknowledged. “They were physical, especially in the first half. We were able to improve and get better in the second half.”
Messi, alongside fellow veteran Angel Di Maria, spearheaded Argentina’s offensive efforts from the start. Both had early chances but were thwarted by Canada’s quick defense and the challenging field conditions. Scaloni voiced his concerns about the recently installed synthetic turf, noting it impacted the speed and control of the passes.
Julian Alvarez broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half with an assist from Alexis Mac Allister, giving Argentina a 1-0 lead. From there, Messi captivated the audience with his relentless attacks until his crucial assist solidified the victory.
Looking ahead, Argentina faces Chile in their second Copa America match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday, the day after Messi’s 37th birthday.
“It’s vital to have patience, so when opportunity comes, we take advantage of it,” Messi said, reflecting on the game and looking forward to the challenges ahead.
Messi’s performance in the opener, marked by determination and a critical assist, set a strong tone for Argentina’s Copa America campaign.
