Argentina Tops Canada 2-0 in Copa America Opener

Argentina football fans were left wanting more after their team's 2-0 victory over Canada in the inaugural match of the Copa America in Atlanta, United States. "Too bad it was only two goals," fan Francesco Lopez said outside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

On the other side, Canada fans expressed pride in the chances their team created and their ability to withstand the World Champions' attacks for most of the match.

For long stretches of its 2024 Copa América opener, Argentina looked shaky. The defending champions — of South America, and of the world — labored at times during a battle with Canada. They played some fluid, dynamic fútbol, but also some very lax soccer. At halftime, they very easily could have been behind.

But four minutes into an action-packed second half, Lionel Messi unlocked Canada — with a pass that was either ingenious or inadvertent.

Defending champions Argentina beat Canada with forwards Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scoring second-half goals to seal the victory. Canada timed their pressing to perfection to fashion a few chances in the first half, though it was Argentina who went closest to scoring through Angel di Maria but he squandered a golden opportunity after a driving run from his own half.

Lionel Scaloni's side made the breakthrough four minutes after the restart as Lionel Messi played a sublime pass to Alexis Mac Allister, who poked it away from advancing Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau and into the path of Alvarez for a simple finish.

Canada pushed hard after going behind but the introduction of veteran center-back Nicolas Otamendi gave Argentina some much-needed stability at the back, before substitute Martinez slotted in from a Messi pass in the 88th minute to wrap up the win.