Argentina advanced to the Copa America final with a 2-0 victory over Canada on Tuesday night at MetLife Stadium.
Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez scored the first goal in the 22nd minute, and Lionel Messi doubled the lead in the 51st minute by redirecting Enzo Fernandez’s shot from close range. The two goals were enough to send them into Sunday’s final, where they’ll face the winner between Uruguay and Colombia as they look to add more titles to their trophy collection.
On Sunday, the competition holders hope to win and defend their title as they seek a record 16th Copa America title Miami, Florida.
After last night’s victory, Messi will officially become the first Argentine player to feature in seven different editions of the Copa America, having participated in every edition of the tournament since 2007, recording 14 goals in 38 Copa America appearances in his career.
He has also taken his country to eight major international finals, with five in the Copa America and two in the World Cup.
Messi on his last moments in the Copa America
The World Cup winner also became the second-best goalscorer in the history of national teams; his goal against Canada, took his tally to 109 goals in 186 games, only Cristiano Ronaldo is ahead of him with 130 international goals.
Speaking in a post-match interview, Messi admitted that it was not easy for The Albiceleste to find themselves in the final again, as he continues to enjoy his last international days.
“It’s not easy for us to be in the final again, for us to compete again to be Champions. I’m living it like I lived it in the last Copa America, in the last world Cup. These are the last battles, and I’m enjoying them to the maximum,” he told TyC Sports after the game.
Argentina will be hoping to emulate the feat that was set by the Spanish national team when they won two consecutive continental titles in a row in 2008 and 2012, as well as the 2010 World Cup.
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