2024-07-10 23:53:44
Forced by history and with Messi recovered, world champion Argentina, defending continental champion, will seek this Tuesday to reach the final of the 2024 Copa América against Canada, the unexpected semi-finalist, who they already faced in the opening of the tournament with a celebration by the Albiceleste.
In that match on June 20 in Atlanta, Messi was on the scoresheet twice for goals by Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez, enough for an auspicious debut against an uninhibited Canada, which was making its first appearance in the oldest national team tournament in the world.
But this new clash between the two promises to be different on Tuesday (00:00 GMT on Wednesday) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford (New Jersey), because Argentina has not managed to be the authoritarian Goliath that was expected and Canada has shown signs of having shed its David suit.
The Albiceleste imposed their law in Group A, which they completed with victories against Chile (1-0) and Peru (3-0), and then had scares against Ecuador in the quarter-finals (1-1 in the 90 minutes), where Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez, as in Qatar-2022, had his moment to shine in the penalty shoot-out and be the hero in the tense 4-2 victory.
After losing to Argentina in the first match of Group A, Canada had to rebuild its position in the Cup and found a place in the quarterfinals by beating Peru (1-0) and drawing with Chile without goals.
But the best of their history came against Venezuela, which had an impeccable run in the group stage and looked set to go further. They got rid of them in the penalty shootout with a 4-3 win after a 1-1 draw in the 90s in Arlington (Texas).
– A 100% Messi? –
The best version of Messi in the Cup was the one seen precisely against the ‘Canucks’. There at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the owner of eight Ballon d’Ors for the best footballer in the world gave glimpses of his infinite quality, inexhaustible at 37 years of age.
But a discomfort in his right adductor against Chile in the first half hampered his performance despite completing the 90 minutes. Against Peru he rested as a precaution and against Ecuador he was far from being the influential player he was against Canada.
“Leo is fine, so he will be part of the match tomorrow, he is ready to play and we are calm,” said the Argentine coach, Lionel Scaloni, in a press conference. “Messi’s level is good, he is fundamental for us and I know what he can give us even if he is not in optimal condition,” he stressed.
Scaloni is considering minor changes to the line-up he used in the quarter-finals, and one of them would be related to the presence of Ángel Di María.
“I don’t know what kind of team Canada will field, and beyond the strengths they have in certain areas of the field, we will field a team that can counteract them and hurt them,” said the coach.
Fideo was a starter against Canada, but against Chile and Ecuador his place went to Nicolás González (Fiorentina). Marcos Acuña has recovered from a muscle contracture and is in the running as a left back.
– The Canadian dream –
For a historic Copa America debut, Canada’s performance deserves applause and recognition. They managed to eliminate Chile in Group A in the final match on the third date and, against all odds, beat Venezuela in the quarterfinals.
“We all know that (Messi) is the best player that ever existed and we have great respect for him. It is always a privilege to play against a player like him. We are not going to mark him individually. But we will try certain things to make things difficult for him,” said Marsch, who has been in charge since mid-May.
Canada is not a team that particularly excels at individual talent, despite the presence of versatile full-back Alphonso Davies, from Bayern Munich and wanted by Real Madrid.
Portland Timbers goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau of the MLS emerged as a star in the penalty shootout against La Vinotinto, but the team is characterized more by its fighting spirit, physical strength and defensive rigor than by its proactive football.
Probable lineups:
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez – Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico or Marcos Acuna – Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez – Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Nicolas Gonzalez or Angel Di Maria. Coach: Lionel Scaloni.
Canadá: Maxime Crépeau – Alistair Johnston, Moise Bombito Lumpungu, Derek Cornelius, Alphonso Davies – Jonathan Osorio, Stephen Eustaquio – Richmond Laryea, Jonathan David, Jacob Shaffelburg – Cyle Larin. DT: Jesse Marsch.
cl/ma
© Agence France-Presse
