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Copa America: Argentina vs Canada, Lionel Messi and others open the tournament, goalless first half

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Argentina forward Lionel Messi plays during the second half of an international friendly soccer match against Guatemala in Landover, Maryland, Friday, June 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Messi, the biggest soccer star in MLS and arguably on the planet, will be the star of the 2024 Copa America opening game as group stage begins and Lionel Messi’s Argentina takes on Canada in the opening match of the 2024 tournament in Atlanta. Just one year before he led Argentina to victory in the FIFA Men’s World Cup, Messi was named the 2021 Player of the Tournament after leading the country to victory in Brazil. In addition to the 2021 win, Argentina has had plenty of success in the Copa this century, winning the tournament in 2011 and finishing as runner-up four times since 2004.

Meanwhile, Canada will be competing in the Copa America for the first time ahead of co-hosting the World Cup with the United States and Mexico in 2026.

  • date: Thursday, June 20

  • time: 8pm ET

  • position: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

  • TV Channels: FS1

  • Streaming: Fubo, DirecTV, VPN

Follow all the action from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta with Yahoo Sports as the 2024 Copa America kicks off.

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  • Canada cries out for a penalty…

    Jacob Schaffelburg evaded Argentina’s defenders and made a run for goal, but was brought down.

    The referee appeared to have the whistle half-way to his mouth, but didn’t hit it until the end.

    Replay: It was definitely a foul, but maybe just It was outside the box so VAR couldn’t do anything.

  • Scaloni made his first substitution for Argentina, bringing on Giovani Lo Celso for Angel Di María.

  • There are opportunities on both ends!

    Remember when Pele would wow the crowds at the World Cup even when he missed shots? Messi did the same thing, staggering past two Canadian players on the break and nearly scooping the ball into the gaping goal, only for his deft shot to be blocked.

    Meanwhile, Jonathan David sent a header several yards high and wide.

    It’s still 1-0 Argentina.

  • The Messi magic continues…

  • Di Maria was a little late here.

  • On Argentina’s goal: Messi magic or a bit of luck?

    To the untrained eye, Argentina’s goal looked like yet another example of Lionel Messi’s greatness: his through pass to Alexis McAllister was something no one else on the field could see.

    But I don’t know if Messi saw it either.

    He looked to be aiming for the feet of Julián Alvarez, but Alvarez made an angled run and Messi’s pass went into empty space – where Mac Allister just happened to be running in.

  • The 24-year-old Alvarez continues to play his part for the Albiceleste.

  • Argentina makes a big leap!

    Messi passed to Mac Allister, but the shot was saved by Canadian keeper Maxime Crepeau.

    It almost went for a penalty but Mac Allister got the ball to Julian Alvarez, who converted well.

    Argentina won 1-0.

  • After a longer halftime than usual (20 minutes or more), the second half begins.

  • Can Canada hold on?

    Canada also held strong teams scoreless for 45 minutes in two pre-tournament friendlies.

    In the first game, they were heavily outplayed by the Netherlands, losing 4-0 after half-time.

    In their second match they drew 0-0 with France.

    This third matchup could go either way (or there’s a good chance Canada will win).

  • Halftime. Plenty of action but no goals.

    Overall, it was a pretty good start for Jesse Marsh and Canada.

    They will be much happier than Argentina, both in terms of the score and their performance so far.

    But of course Argentina are still the favourites – they had chances, they will have chances, and they have Lionel Messi.

  • Emiliano Martinez made a heroic save to keep the score at 0-0.

  • Alexis Mac Allister denies it

  • Canada has no fear of the reigning world champions!

  • The surface of the stadium is… a problem

    The temporary turf field installed at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium was a talking point before the match, but especially during the first 30 minutes of the game in Argentina.

    It’s a little shaky and uneven, the ball speed seems to be slow at times, players don’t seem as confident in their touch as they usually are, and even the slightest hesitation or uncertainty can make a big difference.

  • Canada had another close chance after a great pass from Messi, but Marcos Acuna did not receive the support he needed in the penalty area.

  • After 28 minutes it was still 0-0

    So far, both teams are performing in the 50th percentile.

    If this momentum continues, the expectation is that Argentina will eventually find a few more chances and goals, but there is no guarantee that the goals will come.

    Canada also has offensive power on the break, but Argentina’s defenders are very good at neutralizing the break with tactical fouls.

  • Canada survives the first 20

    Aside from the Argentine barrage, Canada is… doing okay. Not great, but doing okay.

    Messi and Di Maria are dangerous. They always are. But Canada’s system is solid and the underdogs are perhaps Things have calmed down a bit now.





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