EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey — Defending champions Argentina advanced to the Copa America final on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium, ending Canada’s Cinderella run with a 2-0 victory as Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the tournament.
Argentina’s opener came in the 22nd minute through Julian Alvarez. Rodrigo de Paul played a long pass from the halfway line and found Alvarez, whose well-timed run allowed him to finish from close range for his second goal of the competition.
The defending champions added a second goal in the 51st minute when Messi ended their 0-0 Copa America run. Argentina were awarded a free kick and the ball eventually fell to Enzo Fernandez, who sent the ball towards goal. Messi touched the ball from close range just before the ball went in and, although the goal required a VAR review, it was eventually awarded.
Argentina lived up to their status as the heavy favourites in this semi-final, even though the first 20 minutes of the match were dominated by end-to-end action. But soon enough, it seemed as if Canada’s energy had waned despite the excitement of the occasion.
Messi and his teammates will have the chance to make it two Copa America titles in a row on Sunday, when they face the winner of Uruguay’s semi-final against Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium.
News Source : www.cbssports.com
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