Digimagaz.com – Argentina showcased their prowess in the opening match of Copa America 2024 with a decisive 2-0 victory over Canada. The match, held at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Thursday evening June 20, 2024, , saw the defending champions dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities.
Match Overview
Argentina commanded the game with 64 percent possession and 18 attempts on goal, though all their scoring occurred in the second half through Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez. This victory places Argentina at the top of Group A with three points, while Canada, unable to score, sits at the bottom. The other match in the group features Peru and Chile.
First Half: Strong Start but No Goals
From the outset, Argentina played aggressively. In the fifth minute, Leandro Paredes attempted a long-range shot that soared over the crossbar. Just two minutes later, a swift counterattack saw Angel Di Maria unleash a powerful shot that Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau managed to deflect.
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Canada’s strategy relied on counterattacks, utilizing the speed of Alphonso Davies on the left wing and Jonathan David up front. Their best chance in the first half came in the 43rd minute when Cyle Larin’s cross found Stephen Eustaquio, whose header was saved by Emiliano Martinez. Davies quickly followed up on the rebound but shot wide, leaving the score at 0-0 by halftime.
Second Half: Goals and Sealing the Victory
The deadlock was broken just four minutes into the second half. Lionel Messi delivered a precise through ball to Alexis Mac Allister, who outpaced the Canadian defense. As Crepeau rushed out to clear, Mac Allister fell, and Julian Alvarez seized the opportunity to tap the ball into the empty net.
Argentina continued to press, with Alvarez nearly scoring again a minute later, only to be denied by Crepeau. In the 66th minute, Argentina capitalized on a defensive error by Davies, leading to another one-on-one between Messi and Crepeau. Although Messi’s initial shot was deflected, and his subsequent attempt was intercepted by Canadian defenders, the pressure remained relentless.
Messi had another significant chance in the 82nd minute with a through ball, but his chip shot went wide. Substitute Lautaro Martinez had a scoring opportunity in the 84th minute, but once again, Crepeau made a crucial save.
Finally, in the 90th minute, Lautaro Martinez secured Argentina’s victory. Messi’s through ball was met with a close-range shot from Martinez, slipping through Crepeau’s legs and into the net, concluding the match at 2-0.
Conclusion
Argentina’s commanding performance against Canada sets a strong tone for their Copa America campaign. Their aggressive play and ability to convert key opportunities underscore their status as defending champions. As the tournament progresses, Argentina’s form will be closely watched, especially in their upcoming matches against other Group A teams.
This victory not only boosts Argentina’s confidence but also solidifies their position as a formidable contender in Copa America 2024.
