Messi shoots Argentina into the final in "last battles"
Long is not clear if Lionel Messi will play, as he was decisive in the Copa America semifinal against Uruguay. The South American and World champion is in the final once again. "These are the last battles," said the superstar and spoke of "madness."
The dream of title defense at the Copa America lives on for Argentina after reaching the final. In the semifinal, the South Americans won against Canada in a rematch of the opening game with a 2:0 (1:0) score and advanced to the final, which takes place on Sunday. Football superstar Lionel Messi, whose participation in the Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York City was uncertain due to a leg injury until the last minute, started the game and scored his first goal of the tournament.
"Madness, what this group is doing," Messi exclaimed after the final whistle and added calmly: "It's not easy to stand in another final. And we've done it again. I really enjoy it. With (Nicolas) Otamendi and (Angel Di Maria), these are the last battles."
Canada worries about Alphonso Davies
In the final, Argentina faces the winner of the second semifinal between Colombia and Brazil conqueror Uruguay. Colombia finished as group leaders before Brazil. Before 80,102 spectators, mostly jubilant Argentinians, World Cup captain Messi had a decisive impact on the game. Julián Álvarez scored the first goal of the match in the 22nd minute. The striker was played in by De Paul and scored past Canada's goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. With the 1:0, it went into halftime.
Shortly after the restart, Argentina scored the second goal. In the 51st minute, Messi delicately deflected a shot from Enzo Fernández, securing the victory. In the quarterfinals against Ecuador, the 37-year-old missed a penalty kick - the World Cup winner advanced despite a 4:2 victory. Hundreds of Argentine fans gathered with drums and singing at Times Square in New York City before the game.
For Canada, which participated in the Copa America as a guest team for the first time, there is a place in the third-place match on Saturday. However, the participation of captain Alphonso Davies, the defender from Bayern Munich, is questionable. Davies had to be substituted after a kick on his right shin. Argentina and Uruguay, with 15 titles each, are record champions.
Argentina's title defense in the Copa America remains strong with Lionel Messi's contribution, as he scored his first goal of the tournament in the semifinal against Canada. In the upcoming final, Messi and his teammates will face the winner of the Colombia versus Uruguay match, aiming to add another Copa America title to their record-breaking tally of 15 titles. Despite Alphonso Davies' injury concern for Canada in their semifinal against Colombia, Lionel Messi has expressed excitement for the "last battles" in this edition of the Copa America.
