Argentina fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Lionel Messi has been declared fit for their crucial Copa America semifinal clash against Canada tonight at MetLife Stadium. This news comes after concerns arose following Messi’s visibly hampered performance in the quarterfinal win over Ecuador, where he even missed the opening penalty in the shootout.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed the news at a pre-match press conference, stating, “Leo (Messi) is fine, he finished well, so tomorrow he will be part of the match. We are calm. His level looks good. He is essential for us.” This is a significant boost for Argentina as they seek to repeat their 2021 Copa America triumph on home soil (United States is co-hosting the tournament this year).
Messi, widely considered the greatest footballer of all time, has been instrumental in Argentina’s journey to the semifinals. While his performance in the last match left some questioning his fitness, Scaloni’s confident statement suggests the 37-year-old maestro is ready to lead his team against a surprising Canadian squad.
Canada, led by American manager Jesse Marsch, has been the Cinderella story of the tournament. They defeated Venezuela in the quarterfinals and will be looking to pull off another upset against the South American giants. However, they haven’t faced a team with Argentina’s firepower, and Messi’s return to form could be a major hurdle for them to overcome.
The Argentina-Canada matchup in the group stage saw Argentina dominate, winning 2-0 with Messi setting up both goals for Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez. However, Canada will be buoyed by their recent quarterfinal victory and the absence of the Copa America pressure on their shoulders.
Tonight’s encounter promises to be a fascinating battle between a seasoned Argentinian squad with a point to prove and a Canadian team hungry for a historic win. All eyes will be on Lionel Messi as he looks to silence doubters and propel his team towards another Copa America title.
Copa America 2024 Schedule (as of July 9, 2024)
The Copa America 2024 is currently in its knockout stage, with the semifinals happening today and tomorrow. Here’s a quick breakdown of the remaining matches:
Semifinals:
- Tuesday, July 9th: Argentina vs. Canada (MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ)
- Wednesday, July 10th: Uruguay vs. Colombia (Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC)
Finals and Third-Place Playoff:
- Saturday, July 13th: Third Place Playoff (Venue & Teams to be determined)
- Sunday, July 14th: Finals (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL)
Resources for Full Schedule and Results: Official Website