Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News
July 10 – Has there ever been a bigger mismatch for a place in the final of Copa America? Argentina, the current World Champions, versus Canada, a country that has qualified for just two World Cups and has never won or tied a game at either event.
On paper, even David had more going for him when facing Goliath than the Canucks against the mighty La Albiceleste of Lionel Messi & co, however, the match isn’t played on the pages of the bible unfortunately for Canada in a 2-0 loss. It was a repeat of the scoreline of the opening game of these championships.
At a packed and decidedly pro-Argentinian, Met Life Stadium aka, the Church of Messi, in New York, Canada, who have visibly grown during the last month and appropriately kitted out in red dominated the first ten minutes. With just 57 days on the job, their new coach Jessie Marsch has installed a progressive, fast-paced, passing game that the World Champions had a hard time adjusting to.
Jacob Shaffelburg, who plies his trade for Nashville FC in MLS had two presentable chances that perhaps should have tested Emiliano Martinez, however, they both went high and wide.
The adage is if you don’t take your chances against the champs, they’ll make you pay and on 23 minutes Julian Alvarez cashed out. Canada’s two centre backs dozed off for just a second and Rodrigo De Paul threaded a lovely pass into Alvarez whose first touch was beautiful. His second touch wasn’t bad either as he fizzed a shot through the legs of Canadian goalkeeper, Maxime Crepeau for his 9th international goal to give La Albiceleste the 1-0 lead.
Messi majestic
Ahead at half-time and with the best defense in world football, Messi would start to channel his inner Goliath. Every touch, shimmy, dummy, pass, and shot would produce screams that would rival the famed 1960’s Beatles concert at Shea Stadium, just 22 miles down the road.
His faithful would be rewarded in the 51st minute. Canada failed to clear a corner and the ball…
Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/07/10/messi-argentina-beat-canada-secure-copa-america-final-spot/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-07-10 08:39:19
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