Trying to achieve consecutive championships in Copa Americas, surrounding their victory in the 2022 World Cup, Argentina is aiming to replicate the achievements of Spain, who managed to secure back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012 and the World Cup in 2010.
Lionel Messi, the iconic forward for Argentina, celebrated his team’s second goal of the match during the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament semi-final against Canada at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Messi’s tally of 109 international goals was crucial as Argentina triumphed over Canada with a 2-0 victory, advancing to the Copa America final.
The opening goal of the match came from Julián Álvarez in the 22nd minute, and Messi added the second in the 51st minute by skillfully redirecting a shot from Enzo Fernández off the face of Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. Messi has now amassed 28 goals in his last 25 matches for Argentina and has notched up 14 goals in Copa America play, just three shy of the record. Among active players, only Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, with 130 goals, surpasses Messi’s international tally.
Adding to the significance, Messi turned 37 years old on June 24. There remains some historical ambiguity regarding the tally of Iran’s Ali Daei, who scored 108 or 109 international goals between 1993 and 2006, stemming from a disputed goal against Ecuador in 2000.
Argentina’s victory extended its unbeaten streak to 10 games and came fittingly on the nation’s independence day. They are now eyeing a record 16th Copa America title and will face either Uruguay or Colombia in the final scheduled for Sunday at Miami Gardens, Florida.
Reflecting on their journey, Messi said, “It’s insane what this team has done, what the Argentina national team is doing. For those who remain from the old guard, it’s beyond impressive that the national team is in another final.”
Argentinian fans showed immense support by gathering in Times Square on the eve of the match and flooding the streets of Manhattan before making their way to MetLife Stadium, the venue for the 2026 World Cup final. The event attracted a crowd of 80,102 fans, braving an 82-degree night with 82% humidity. The atmosphere was predominantly pro-Argentina, contrasting with a handful of Canadian supporters dressed in red.
This semi-final was a landmark event for Canadian soccer, a team that had previously failed to win in its only World Cup appearances in 1986 and 2022, and whose only significant title came in the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Earlier in the tournament on June 20, Argentina also secured a 2-0 victory over Canada. During this latest encounter, a key moment saw Canada star Alphonso Davies limping off after a challenge with Gonzalo Montiel.
. Davies was subsequently substituted in the 71st minute.
Messi, making his 38th Copa America appearance, had been cautious about his leg injury and missed the group stage finale. Despite a subdued performance in the quarterfinal against Ecuador, he played the full 90 minutes. In the semi-final, Messi came close to scoring multiple times, missing from the top of the penalty area in the 12th minute after a pass from Ángel Di María, and again in the 44th minute, before sending a chip over the crossbar during injury time in the first half.
The match was played on a temporary grass surface at MetLife Stadium, which was notably heavy and waterlogged, causing splashes and sand to pop up during dribbles. “It’s been a very difficult Copa América, very competitive, bad surfaces, excessive heat,” Messi remarked after the game.
Argentina’s first goal was orchestrated by Rodrigo De Paul, who sent a long pass from the center circle to Álvarez. Álvarez made a skillful touch to control the ball from Moïse Bombito, created space, and then finished with a shot between Crépeau’s legs, marking his ninth goal in 35 international appearances.
Messi’s goal followed a throw-in. Initially centering the ball to De Paul, who then sent it to the end line and cut it back, the play saw Koné’s attempted clearance fall to Fernández, whose shot was deftly redirected by Messi from inside the 6-yard box. “I just put myself in the middle of it,” Messi explained. “I wasn’t sure if Enzo’s ball was going to get in. It was a reflex.”
In the 80th minute, Tani Oluwaseyi’s effort was superbly blocked by Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who also denied Jonathan David from close range in first-half stoppage time. Martínez’s performances were instrumental in maintaining the clean sheet for Argentina.
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