Messi leads Argentina to 2-0 victory over Canada – brief news

Argentina started its Copa América title defense in Atlanta on Thursday evening with a 2-0 win over Canada, marking its pursuit of a third consecutive major trophy. The match, held in a sold-out Mercedes-Benz Stadium, featured a major contribution from Lionel Messi, who set a new Copa América record with his 35th appearance.

Messi, who was approaching his 37th birthday, orchestrated Argentina’s first goal in the 49th minute. A deft header from the legendary striker brought the ball to Alexis Mac Allister, who collided with Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau as he delivered a pass to Julián Álvarez. The striker took advantage of the opportunity and scored his eighth international goal with a shot into an almost empty net.

The second goal came in the 88th minute when Messi provided an assist to Lautaro Martínez. This assist extended Messi’s own record to 18 assists in Copa América competitions. The win cements Argentina’s dominant form following their successes in the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup.

This year the Copa América will be organized in the United States for the second time, which adds a different dynamic to the South American championship. Messi’s breakthrough performance not only underlines his lasting influence, but also sets a high standard for his team as they look to continue their winning streak in major tournaments.

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