EAST RUTHERFORD . NJ (SMI-GLOBAL-SPORTS-CONMEBOL COPA-AMERICA USA 2024)-FIFA World#1, & defending Copa America champions " Argentina " blanks Canada 2-0, in the semifinal match with Global Star Lionel Messi scoring his first goal of the tournament and secure a spot for "La Albiceleste" in the championship title game during a sold-out crowd of 80,102 fans at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

With the win, Argentina, who are the current reigning champions of the tournament, advance to the championship title game, and awaits the winner of the other semifinal match between Colombia against Uruguay to be played Wednesday July 10, at  Bank of America in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Canada took the initiative from the start with 2-consecutive counter-attacks through the left-side corner, forward Jacob Shaffelburg in a break-away  shot a left-footed over the crossbar and 2' minute later, Shaffelburg once again on a counter-attack shot from inside the 18' wide barely missing the right-goalpost at 7' mark.

Argentina answered back with two counter-attacks of their own, forward Angel Di Maria through the right-side field corner passed the ball to Lionel Messi who from the middle just outside the 18' shot a left-footed wide barely missing the right goalpost at 12', mark. Ten minute later,  midfielder Rodrigo De Paul kicked a long pass to Julian Alvarez who on a breakaway evaded defender Moise Bombito and score with a right-footed to the opposite goalpost to put Argentina 1-0, at 22' mark.

La Albiceleste kept the pressure and with two more counter-attacks through the left-side field Nicolas Tagliafico shot wide after receiving a pass from Messi, and Angel Di Maria through the right-side corner passed the ball to Messi who shot wide to closed-out the half 1-0, in favor of Argentina. 

Five minute into the 2nd half, Argentina found the second goal by Lionel Messi
at 50' mark, a play originated from a free throw to Messi to Rodrigo De Paul
who in an effort to cross the ball from from inside the 18', it deflected-off Canada's Ismael Kone to midfielder Enzo Fernandez who shot and Messi tapped-in the ball for his first goal of the tournament and secure the win for the Albiceleste of 2-0, over Canada.

Article Written & Photo By Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated