July 10, 2024
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (centre) is congratulated by teammates after scoring his aspect’s second goal towards Canada throughout a Copa America semifinal match in East Rutherford, New Jersey final night time.
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (AP):
Lionel Messi scored his 109th worldwide goal and first of the match to lead defending champions Argentina to a 2-0 win over Canada and into the Copa America final final night time.
Julian Alvarez put the winners forward within the twenty second minute and Messi redirected Enzo Fernandez’s shot in off the face of goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau within the 51st. Messi has 28 objectives in his final 25 matches for Argentina and 14 in Copa America play, three shy of the file.
Solely Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo with 130 has extra worldwide objectives than Messi, who turned 37 on June 24. Iran’s Al Daei had 108 or 109 from 1993 to 2006, with a lingering dispute over whether or not a goal towards Ecuador in 2000 occurred in a full worldwide match.
With the victory, Argentina prolonged their unbeaten streak to 10 video games.
Making an attempt to string collectively championships in consecutive Copa Americas across the 2022 World Cup championship, Argentina are attempting to match the feat of Spain when La Roja received the 2008 and 2012 European Championships together with the 2010 World Cup.
Argentina followers gathered in Instances Sq. on the eve of the match and stuffed the streets on Manhattan earlier than heading to MetLife Stadium, web site of the 2026 World Cup final. The group of 80,102 on an evening with an 82-degree temperature and 82 per cent humidity was overwhelmingly pro-Argentina, with only some sections dominated by red-clad Canadian supporters.
Canada star Alphonso Davies limped off after his proper leg was caught in a clear problem with Gonzalo Montiel and he was changed within the 71st minute.
Making his thirty eighth Copa America look, Messi had missed Argentina’s group stage finale with a leg damage and was subdued whereas taking part in 90 minutes within the quarterfinal win over Ecuador.
He was simply vast from the highest of the penalty space within the twelfth minute after exchanging passes with Angel Di Maria, then vast once more within the forty fourth and put a chip over the crossbar in first-half damage time.
Argentina went forward after Rodrigo De Paul from the centre circle performed an extended go to Alvarez, who took a contact on the high of the arc to management the ball from Moise Bombito. Alvarez took one other contact to create area and from close to the penalty spot slipped the ball between the legs of Crepeau for his ninth goal in 35 worldwide appearances.
Messi scored following a throw-in. He crossed to De Paul, who ran to the goal-line and reduce the ball again. Kone’s tried clearance went to Fernandez, who teed up a shot that Messi redirected from simply contained in the six-yard field.
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