Lionel Messi scores, Argentina beats Canada to advance to Copa America final

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The defining moment of Argentina’s penultimate step toward a Copa America repeat was like the rest of the climb: simple.

This was not the case easyArgentina had to work, think and sweat here at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday night in the first of two Copa semifinals. They had to deal with some early scares.

But they swept aside Canada 2-0 to reach Sunday’s final. Their coup de grâce was perhaps the most subtle and clear goal Lionel Messi has ever scored, his first of the tournament. And their breakthrough, midway through the first half, was simple — literally.

It took just two passes, from the central defender to the central midfielder, then from the central midfielder to the central striker. The first, from Cristian Romero to Rodrigo De Paul, was harmless. But the second found Canada’s Argentine killer, Julián Álvarez.

His first touch was excellent. His second left Canadian defender Moïse Bombito on the turf. His third beat goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau and gave Argentina the lead.

It was Álvarez who had made the difference three weeks earlier, during the meeting between the two teams in the opening round of the 2024 Copa América. That evening in Atlanta, Canada had lasted 48 minutes. Here, it lasted only 22.

During these 22 minutes, the outsiders were lively. They detected openings. They rushed towards the counterattacks. They threatened.

But they didn’t have the quality to take the chances. And once they conceded a goal, they were done for.

Messi, with a classic feint and a right-footed shot, almost buried the Reds just before half-time.

About five minutes after halftime, he actually buried them.

He made his debut at the 2024 Copa América, ironically, with one of the most memorable goals of Cristiano Ronaldo’s illustrious career. He slipped a pass to De Paul. He kept going. After a pinball in the penalty area, he planted his foot on a shot from Enzo Fernandez, and half-pushed, half-stroked, it into the net.

He glanced at the assistant referee, unsure if he was offside. But he was, so he jumped gently into Enzo’s arms and felt a sensation he hadn’t felt in a competitive Argentinian match since October.

He had looked relatively unremarkable in the previous three Copa América 2024 games. And frankly, so had Argentina.

The Albiceleste Chile looked vulnerable in their first match against Canada. They needed a lucky goal from Lautaro Martinez late in the game to beat Chile. They rested their regulars in a meaningless final group game against Peru. They then needed a penalty shootout – and a heroic goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez – to survive Ecuador’s quarter-finals.

So they arrived at this semi-final with the impression of still being inexperienced, as a world champion can be. They sometimes seemed to lack attacking ideas.

But they had enough resources to beat Canada again; they were sometimes careless, but sufficient.

They had enough to reach a third consecutive final of a major tournament, where they will meet their first major opponent of the summer, either Colombia or Uruguay.

Whether they’ve already proven something is not so important. They’re 90 minutes away from a new title.