Argentina’s Copa América 2024 campaign began with a commanding 2-0 victory against Canada, solidifying their position as title defenders. The match witnessed Lionel Messi’s remarkable assist prowess, leading to goals by Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez. Messi, who recently celebrated his 35th Copa América appearance, set a record for the most tournament appearances and continued his streak as the top assist provider.Despite the win, the Argentine squad, including coach Lionel Scaloni and goalkeeper Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez, expressed dissatisfaction with the playing conditions at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, criticizing the newly laid grass surface for its poor quality. Scaloni and Martínez both remarked on the difficulty of playing on the subpar pitch, which they felt hindered the team’s performance.Looking ahead, Argentina is poised to face Chile and Peru in their upcoming group stage matches, aiming to continue their streak of international success. Canada, on the other hand, will look to bounce back in their next games against the same opponents. With Messi’s leadership and the team’s collective strength, Argentina’s quest for Copa América glory appears promising, despite the challenges posed by the playing surface.
Key points
- Argentina defeated Canada 2-0 in their Copa América 2024 debut, with Messi assisting both goals.
- Messi set a Copa América record with his 35th appearance and extended his assist record.
- Argentina’s team criticized the poor condition of the grass at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, impacting play.
- Argentina will face Chile and Peru next, while Canada will also play Peru and Chile.
