In their quest for a third consecutive major title, Argentina kicked off their Copa América campaign with a convincing 2-0 win against Canada at a packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Lionel Messi, celebrating his 37th birthday on Monday, showcased his enduring brilliance throughout the match.
In the 49th minute, his precise through ball set up Julián Álvarez for the opening goal, followed by an 88th-minute assist to Lautaro Martínez, securing Argentina’s victory.
The match marked a milestone for Messi, who set a new Copa América record by playing in his 35th match, surpassing Chilean legend Sergio Livingstone. Messi also extended his own record with his 18th assist in the tournament.
Despite a valiant effort from Canada, coached by Jesse Marsch in his competitive debut, they struggled to contain Messi’s influence. Marsch acknowledged Messi’s impact, stating, “He’s so good that even with a good game plan and execution, he can still make world-class plays.”
Argentina’s next match is against Chile in East Rutherford, New Jersey, followed by a clash with Peru in Miami Gardens, Florida, to conclude the group stage. Meanwhile, Canada faces Peru in Kansas City, Kansas, and closes their group campaign against Chile in Orlando, Florida.
The Copa América, hosted across fourteen stadiums in the United States, features a mix of ten South American and six Concacaf teams, promising exciting matchups until the final on June 14 at Miami Gardens.
