The Copa America semifinals were set with the fixture between Argentina and Canada at Metlife Stadium. Both teams did their part and earned their place in the tournament’s knockout stages.
However, the biggest surprise was Canada. The CONCACAF nation emerged from a tough group that included the defending champion. Argentina arrived at the top of the group, but they knew Canada was not an easy rival despite beating them in the first match. The chances that two teams from the same group meet beyond the group stages are rare. It was the opportunity for Canada to learn from their mistakes and beat the defending champions. But Argentina themselves knew that they were a win away from a consecutive final appearance.
The champions return
The match against Ecuador was a wake-up call for Argentina. They were pushed to their limits after a last-minute equalizer for Ecuador and nearly lost the game in the final play of the match. Fortunately for them, Emiliano Martinez dominated on the penalty shootout. That experience motivated them to finish the game against Canada as quickly as possible. They brought back the iconic Di Maria-Messi partnership again. The duo has a history of becoming lethal in key games, and this was no exception.
Canada needed to have a perfect game combined with key performances from both Jacob Shaffelburg and Alphonso Davies to beat Argentina. The momentum they gathered from the win against Venezuela was enough for them to attempt another historic result at Metlife. It was Shaffellburg who took the initiative for Canada in the opening minutes.
Two quick transitions allowed the striker to step inside Argentina’s box to have shots against Martinez. Both plays took Argentina by surprise. But the second play was nearly the perfect counterattack. Unfortunately, Shaffellburg was not on target on both chances and would be costly down the road. Argentina bounced back from that initial shock in the 11th minute. The dynamic duo made sure their chemistry was untouched with a quick play to give Messi enough space to shoot near the lower post. Vintage stuff from the number 10 in that play, it didn’t find the target but that move sure rolled back the years for him a little.
Argentina was coping with Canada’s high press, But that approach was going to cost them. It’s understandable, that you can’t leave Messi with space, but losing the mark on the main striker is more lethal. Julian Alvarez controlled a pass by Rodrigo de Paul that allowed him to have a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Within 22 minutes Argentina was up on the scoreboard.
The Albiceleste took control of the game from that point on and had close calls with Di Maria and Messi, both having their chances missed by a few inches. Di Maria would have probably left his trademark finishing move if that chip to the goalkeeper was on target.
Overall, Argentina took some time to find their place on the field, but once they did, they left Canada with no chance to react. The final shot came within 5 minutes of the second half with another attack from the wings. De Paul connected with Messi once again, but the deflection on one of the defenders allowed Enzo Fernandez to place his shot into an empty goal, but Messi had a touch on it. The final ruling would give Messi a chance to score his first goal in the tournament.
Argentina would go on to control the rest of the game as Canada would lose a key player due to injury. Without Alphonso Davies, the squad lost an element in attack, and the energy levels started to be considerably low. One thing that did surprise me, though, was how the Canadian manager acknowledged that his squad was out of energy after 20 minutes of the game.
However, he did praise the compromise that everyone displayed throughout the tournament. Canada lost the game but gave Argentina another wake-up call in the final minutes. Tani Oluwaseyi had two of the best chances for Canada but once again failed to hit the target and will now face Uruguay for the third-place finish in the tournament.
Everything will be decided on Sunday in Miami between Colombia and Argentina. Both squads have arrived at the final with unbeaten records. The stakes in this game are through the roof. James Rodriguez will be looking to add another trophy to the national team’s trophy cabinet. While Argentina is on the verge of becoming one of the few nations that have won back-to-back trophies. The match on Sunday will also signal Angel Di Maria’s last dance with the Argentinian national team. Hopefully, the game will live up to expectations and will witness a final for the history books.