Argentina Defeats Canada to Reach Copa America 2024 Final; Messi Becomes 2nd-Highest International Goal-Scorer
Argentina triumphed over Canada 2-0 in the Copa America 2024 semifinal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday, securing their second consecutive final appearance.
The defending champions were propelled by goals from Julian Alvarez and captain Lionel Messi, who scored his first of this edition.
Argentina fended off early pressure as Alvarez darted past two defenders to open the scoring with a flawless finish in the 22nd minute.
Messi doubled the lead in the 51st minute when he deflected Enzo Fernandez’s shot from the edge of the area past Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.
This marks the third consecutive major final for Messi’s side. The Albiceleste won the 2021 Copa America, defeating Brazil 1-0 in the final, and went on to win the 2022 Qatar World Cup, beating France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in extra time.
Argentina will face either Uruguay or Colombia, who meet on Wednesday, in the final in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday. This will be Argentina’s record-extending 30th final appearance, as they aim to win their 16th Copa America title, the joint-most alongside Uruguay.
Messi Follows Ronaldo
Messi’s goal took his international tally to 109, surpassing Ali Daei’s 108 for Iran and making him the second-highest goal-scorer of all time, behind Cristiano Ronaldo (130). It was also Messi’s 14th goal in Copa America history.
Highest International Goal Scorers in History
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 130 goals
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): 109 goals
- Ali Daei (Iran): 108 goals
- Sunil Chhetri (India): 94 goals
- Mokhtar Dahari (Malaysia): 89 goals
- Ali Mabkhout (UAE); Romelu Lukaku (Belgium): 85 goals
- Ferenc Puskas (Hungary): 84 goals
- Robert Lewandowski (Poland): 83 goals
- Godfrey Chitalu (Zambia); Neymar (Brazil): 79 goals
- Hussein Saeed (Iraq): 78 goals
