Lionel Messi and Argentina opened Copa America in Atlanta on the right foot with a 2-0 victory over Canada. Julian Alvarez got the goal to see Argentina through and Lautaro Martinez added the insurance as the defending champions kicked off the tournament. Messi also made his record 35th Copa America appearance passing Chilean goalkeeper Sergino Livingstone. Messi had quite a match with five shots putting three on target but lacked a goal due to an impressive stop from Maxime Crepeau in the second half followed by a block from Derek Cornelius to deny him.
Canada may have lost the match but the chances that they created will give Jesse Marsch confidence for the remainder of games in Group A. After playing France to a draw in a friendly and now holding Argentina to only one goal, the Canucks are on the rise. Messi did suffer a scare going down from a challenge at the end of the match but he did continue to play.
One thing to watch will be the status of Messi following a knee-to-knee challenge with a Canadian defender. The Argentine number 10 did continue in the match providing an assist to Martinez but when he'll celebrate his 37th birthday in only four days, could Lionel Scaloni need to rest Messi during the group stage? Knocks are always tough as they can grow worse over the following days after a match. On the bright side, Argentina won't play another match until June 25 against Chile so their star will have time to rest before he is needed again.
March's fingerprints are showing on the Canadian national team as they looked to replicate what Saudi Arabia did to upset Argentina at the World Cup. The Canucks made mistakes that Argentina didn't take advantage of but they also created plenty of their own chances taking 10 shots and putting two on target. More is needed from Jonathan David moving forward but Marsch has played the Netherlands, France and Argentina in his first three matches in charge of the national team and the improvement is showing. The defense and especially Crepeau are well drilled and as Copa America goes on, Ismael Kone will have a breakout moment but Canada will take important lessons from this.
It's an embarrassment of riches for Scaloni in his setup that this is even a question but while Alvarez opened the scoring, things looked more fluid once Martinez came onto the pitch. There's a big difference in roles as Messi was central with Alvarez on the wing to start the match while Martinez was in a central position but the team was more fluid with the Inter man in the XI. Considering the finishing for Argentina was poor, it wouldn't be a surprise if changes were made ahead of Chile and one of them could be putting Martinez into the XI. Both will be heavily involved in whatever Argentina do this tournament but this well-oiled machine may need a few tweaks.
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Argentina kicks off their title defense with a 2-0 victory over Canada in Atlanta. Julian Alvarez scored his first Copa America goal and Lautauro Martinez got he insurance goal as Argentina withstood Canada's pressure to march to three points. Lionel Messi also got an assist during the match but he struggled at finishing his chances.
It's a Messi assist as Argentina gets their insurance goal. It was such a smooth play and now all the Argentina fans are singing in Atlanta.
After all of Argentina held their breath following a knee to knee challenge he'll stay in the match as Argentina looks to close it out now.
After an attack, Messi pulls up limp and will now need treatment. It looks like he'll try to continue but is in discomfort.
Crepeau again stops Messi in a one vs one situation and Argentina just can't get an insurance goal in the match.
Larin was in space but Martinez covers up the ball before a collision with the striker. We've got quite a finish coming in the final 24 minutes.
One on one with a keeper, Messi is essentially automatic but Crepeau was able to stay big and stop the Argentine from close range. Messi got the ball back following the chance and Derek Cornelius made a goalline clearance to stop the danger but what a sequence.
The Canucks still have some life as Argentina has been a little sloppy in the later stages of the match. Paredes cleaned it up but even Argentina may need to rotate a bit to close this out.
They have three shots and one on target while dominating possession with almost 68% of the ball so far. Canada are losing their steam as the match wears on and Marsch will need to look to make changes soon.
Mac Allister puts his body on the lien and Julian Alvarez hits the back of the net. Argentina are off and running and are quickly looking for another goal.
Canada and Argentina have both had good chances at the half but it's Lionel Scaloni who will feel better about his sides chances in the second half. The Canucks have made mistakes that Argentina hasn't taken advantage of yet but that doesn't mean that they won't find a breakthrough.
Martinez was called into action by Stephen Eustaquio as Canada made one of their counter attacks count. Argentina took care of the danger but that's an important reminder that Argentina needs to maintain control.
All of the Argentina attack was forward but the Canadian keeper came out just in time to clean up the danger. Canada have played with fire but they haven't been burnt yet.
It has been a methodical game so far but the second that Canada made a mistake on their back line, Argentina sprang to life. A few more of those and Canada will find themselves behind but Argentina are fine with how the game is playing out.
Cyle Larin drew a free kick in a good position and Davies and Eustaquio are standing over it with a great chance for the Canucks.
While Argentina are pushing the pace, Canada's positioning early on has been good as Jesse Marsch has toned down the press to make sure that they can keep up with Argentina. While this match may not be a must win for Canada, it is a situation where they don't want to lose by more than two goals as this is a group that could come down to goal difference.
Julian Alvarez was in space but Crepeau held his ground and made an important save. Argentina are starting to turn the screw and cut apart Canada's defense early.
As expected Argentina are the stronger team in possession to start but Canada are holding their own in what should be a thrilling encounter.
Here are other young players to watch as well
Breaking out near the end of the season for Monza, Valentín Carboni was involved in five goals this season catching the eye and making Argentina's Copa squad alongside another 19-year-old, Alejandro Garnacho. Lionel Messi has praised Carboni's talent and this could be a time when we begin to see Argentina's future at the 10 in a world without Messi. La Albiceleste have done a good job of balancing their present with their future during recent years and Carboni could be the latest young player to make the breakthrough as they'll have the luxury of being ahead by halftime in most games allowing the ability to rotate and get different players experience
Some of the staff has Argentina lifting Copa America so here are cases for and against
Why Argentina will win the Copa America
Picking a team with Messi to win a championship is expected, but Argentina are not a one-man team. They boast talent across the pitch in established stars like forward Lautaro Martinez and defender Cristian Romero, as well as exciting up-and-comers like Alejandro Garnacho and Valentin Carboni. Their recent success, coupled with optimism for the future and the fuel of sending off Messi on a high in what could be his final major international tournament should be more than plenty to see them lift the Copa America title for the 16th time. -- Pardeep Cattry
Why Argentina won't win the Copa America
Despite winning the last Copa America, Argentina won't be able to defend their title which says more about how far soccer has come in South America since 2021. Running into an improved Uruguay side, Marcelo Bielsa and Luis Suarez will deny Messi the chance to go back-to-back but this tournament is getting much better at the top levels with Uruguay, Colombia and Ecuador all trending in the right direction. -- Chuck Booth
Jonathan Johnson looks at some of the must watch Copa America action
Regardless of the fact that the USMNT are not kicking off their own tournament given Argentina's status as defending champions, it is Canada who will take on Lionel Messi and teammates in Arlington, Texas, in our first offering. Not only is it the excitement of the very first matchup, there is also the fact that Jesse Marsch will make his competitive debut as Canadian head coach on top of the Albiceleste needing time to get going before winning the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Could we see an upset result to kick things off in Group A?
I predicted every game of the tournament and it could be quite a long run for Lionel Messi and Argentina. Group A could see both teams who play tonight advance to the knockouts.
This group is ... something. While Argentina doing anything other than sweeping the field would come as a shock, after them it's anyone's guess of what may happen. Canada boasts the two best non-Argentine players in the group in Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David and that should be enough for Jesse Marsch to guide the Canucks out of their group. Peru and Chile used to be great international sides but led by aging players, this won't be the tournament where they get back to their best.
In our power rankings for Copa America both Argentina and Canada make the top 10
Argentina comes in at number one: You can't start at the top of Copa America rankings without beginning with Argentina who are doing a good job of balancing the current stars with bringing along younger players as well. With his next appearance, Lionel Messi will set the record for caps in this competition with 35 while also looking to lead his team to back -to-back Copa America titles.
Canada is ninth: We're in the early days of Jesse Marsch leading the Canucks but they've already secured a marquee result drawing against France in a friendly. Canada will need to gel and improve their play in midfield but with Alphonso Davies and Johnathan David leading the team, they can pull out results.
E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Acuna; De Paul, Paredes, MacAllister; Messi, Alvarez, Di Maria
Crepeau; Davies,Cornelius,Bombito,Johnstonp; Millar, Eustaquio, Kone, Buchanan; David, Larin
This Canadian side is starting to move on from the likes of Milan Borjan and Lucas Cavallini while long-time leader Atiba Hutchinson has retired so he's no longer an option. The squad is headlined with attacking talent such as Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Tajon Buchanan but there are also the likes of Alphonso Davies and Stephen Eustaquio across defense and midfield. Maxime Crepeau is emerging as the new No. 1 goalkeeper and England-born Luc de Fougerolles is making his first appearance in a senior squad.
Paulo Dybala is arguably the biggest name missing out although there is also Juan Foyth and Lucas Ocampos. All aged 36, Messi, Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi are all extreme veterans but will be expected to contribute significantly again while familiar midfield faces Rodrigo de Paul and Leandro Paredes should also form part of Lionel Scaloni's preferred starting XI.
Argentina will kick off Copa America festivities as they host Jesse Marsch's Canada at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Lionel Messi will look to win back to back Copa America's during a tournament where he'll celebrate his 37th birthday during play. Kicking off with a match against Canada will be a good warm up match for Argentina but for the Canucks, staying close with Argentina will do a lot to show that they can make it out of the group.
