New Delhi: World champions Argentina started their Copa America title defence on a high as they beat Canada 2-0 in the opener on Thursday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The venue was jampacked with more than 70,000 people joining in for the first game of the 2024 edition. Star player Lionel Messi was out of the scoring sheet but did manage to set the two goals up as Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez converted those opportunities into scores.
Julian Alvarez scored the first goal of the game in the 49th minute but the Canadian outfit stayed in the game on the back of goalkeeper Max Crepeau and Messi’s astonishing lack of precision in front of goal. This ensured that the underdogs were still in the game until Lautaro Martinez settled it all in the 88th minute, doubling the Argentine lead.
What a way to start the tournament 🫶 pic.twitter.com/KfC2HhVtCm
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) June 21, 2024
Meanwhile, Messi became the most capped player in Copa America history as he made his 35th appearance in what is his seventh tournament. He wen close to an opener himself but his angled shot from the left went just wide of the far post. With the Canadian goalie making some saves, Argentina needed their goalkeeper, the revered Emi Martinez to be at his very best to ensure they went in on a tie (0-0) at the half-time.
Alvarez breaks deadlock
In less than four minutes of the second half, Julian Alvarez scored the opener of the game after Messi threaded a pass through to Mac Allister, who was brought down by Crepeau, but before the referee could blow his whistle, Alvarez drilled the loose ball home. There was another chance for Alvarez a few moments later but it was denied by a diving Crepeau.
Watch Alvarez score the first goal against Canada –
GOL Julián Álvarez. What a pass by Messi. pic.twitter.com/OGunsLXDAP
— MC (@CrewsMat10) June 21, 2024
Messi was denied a few more opportunities and he failed to convert one of those – cutting in from the right with only Crepeau to beat, Messi opened his body but the shot went wide of the post. Crepeau was at his best again to keep out substitute Lautaro as Argentina were struggling to finish the game off but with just two minutes of normal time remaining, they did the exact same. Messi produced another terrific pass and this time Lautaro made no mistake as he slipped past the advancing Crepeau to make it 2-0 and hand Argentina their first win of the event.
Watch Lautaro double the lead for Argentina –
LAUTARO MARTINEZ DOUBLES THE LEAD AFTER A WONDERFUL PASS BY LIONEL MESSI!
WHAT AN ASSIST! 🇦🇷😱pic.twitter.com/ChsShtREFe
— Stop That Messi (@stopthatmessiii) June 21, 2024
Messi ➡️ Lautaro pic.twitter.com/zNcMv4MIJj
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) June 21, 2024
Argentina began their Copa America title defence with a 2-0 win over Canada as Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez helped by Lionel Messi shone during the event opener on Thursday. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
