Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Argentinavs.Canada

sportsmole.co.uk, 7 July 2024, 19:53
In a rematch of the opening game at the Copa America, Canada can become the second CONCACAF side to make the final of this competition when they face the reigning champions Argentina on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium.

Both sides made the semi-finals via penalty shootouts, with La Albiceleste defeating Ecuador and the Canucks edging Venezuela, with both matches ending in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.

Match preview

It took some tremendous goalkeeping from the colourful Emiliano Martinez, but Argentina ultimately got the job done against Ecuador in the last eight.

Tuesday will be their fifth successive trip to the semi-finals of this tournament, with the Argentines advancing beyond this phase in seven of their previous eight attempts, losing to Brazil in 2019 (2-0).

A semi-final triumph would mark the first time they make the Copa America final as the defending champions since 1959 when two editions of the tournament transpired in that same year, and the Argentines finished as runners-up the second go around.

Lionel Scaloni's men have only conceded once in this competition but have not maintained a clean sheet in the Copa America semi-finals since it previously took place in the United States in 2016 when they defeated the hosts 4-0.

Argentina have not lost in normal time of a major tournament on US soil since Romania beat them 3-2 in the round of 16 at the 1994 World Cup.

La Seleccion can stretch their undefeated run to 10 matches across all competitions on Tuesday, conceding only three goals over that stretch.

Since losing their first match in this tournament to the Argentines (2-0), the Canucks have grown by leaps and bounds, conceding just once in their last three fixtures.

Jesse Marsch's men are only the third CONCACAF team to qualify for the semi-finals of this tournament in their debut appearance (Honduras and Mexico) and the first in the region to make it this far since the USA in 2016.

This upcoming game will be the fifth time the Canadians are in the semi-finals of a continental tournament this century, and they have only advanced beyond this stage on two of those occasions, in the 2023 Nations League (2-0 over Panama) and the 2000 Gold Cup (1-0 over Trinidad and Tobago).

Not since the 2001 Copa America have we seen a CONCACAF nation advance into the final of this competition, when Mexico were narrowly beaten by Colombia (1-0) after defeating Uruguay in the semis (2-1).

Les Rouges have shown more defensive stability since being picked apart by the Netherlands in a pre-tournament friendly (4-0), conceding three goals in their last five encounters across all competitions.

In their last nine competitive fixtures, the Canadians have not conceded an opening-half strike but have been outscored by a combined 7-1 margin in the final 45 minutes of their last six games.

Although they have lost both of their previous encounters with Argentina by a 7-0 margin, their 2-0 loss to them in the opening match at the Copa America is the only time the Canucks have lost to a CONMEBOL side in a continental tournament this century.

Argentina Copa America form:

W

W

W

W

Argentina form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

W

W

Canada Copa America form:

L

W

D

W

Canada form (all competitions):

L

D

L

W

D

W

Team News

After missing their final group fixture as a precaution due to a sore hamstring, Lionel Messi was back in the fold for Argentina against Ecuador, but with a new partner in the attack as the top goalscorer in this competition, Lautaro Martinez (four goals) got the start over Julian Alvarez for a second successive encounter.

In the quarter-finals, Angel Di Maria was an unused substitute for the first time at the 2024 tournament, while Nicolas Otamendi came on for Enzo Fernandez late in the second half, claiming his 115th career cap, drawing level with Roberto Ayala for fifth all-time.

Lisandro Martinez scored his first international goal in the quarter-finals, and despite Messi missing his penalty in the shootout, Emiliano Martinez stopped two Ecuador efforts, allowing Otamendi to score the winner.

Tajon Buchanan remains doubtful for Canada after the Inter Milan man broke his tibia in training just days before their match with Venezuela.

The only new face that saw the field for Canada on Friday was Ali Ahmed, with the Vancouver Whitecaps wingback taking the place of Richie Laryea.

Jacob Shaffelburg scored just the second goal for Canada at this tournament, and despite Liam Millar and Stephen Eustaquio missing their spot kicks, Venezuela missed three, two of which Maxime Crepeau stopped, allowing Ismael Kone to win the match.

Argentina possible starting lineup:

E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Lo Celso, Gonzalez; Messi, La. Martinez

Canada possible starting lineup:

Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies; Osorio, Eustaquio; Laryea, David, Shaffelburg; Larin

We say: Argentina 2-0 Canada

The Canadians have been one of the most captivating stories at this tournament, but fairy tales do not always have a happy ending.

Canada gave Argentina a stiff test in the opening game of this tournament, however, there are far too many match-winners that La Seleccion can call upon when compared to the Canucks.

Previews by email

Top News

23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United transfer target Randal Kolo Muani is very likely to leave Paris Saint-Germain in the January transfer window, according to reports. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly set their sights on West Ham United attacker Mohammed Kudus, with Pep Guardiola keen to strengthen his struggling squad. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly set to rival Arsenal for the signature of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic in the summer of 2025. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final Premier League gameweek before Christmas appropriately served up some crackers, including a festive feast of goals in North London, where Liverpool ran riot in an exhilarating 6-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur. 22 December 2024 talksport.com Even when the pulse settled a little after this compellingspectacle it was still difficult to know quite where to start todissect this nine-goal thriller. 22 December 2024 talksport.com Ange Postecoglou cut an irritated figure as he claimed he's going to stop answering questions about Tottenham's tactics. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have supposedly expressed an interest in signing Borussia Dortmund attacker Julian Brandt next month. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's Mohamed Salah refused to give anything away when asked whether he could break Ian Rush's all-time goalscoring record after the Reds' remarkable 6-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's astonishing 6-3 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday evening saw a multitude of records and achievements surpassed, as the Reds moved four points clear at the top of the table. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Al-Ahli have reportedly emerged as the favourites to sign Marcus Rashford, with the Manchester United attacker widely expected to be on the move during the January transfer window. 22 December 2024 talksport.com Everton have become surprise leaders in one statistic across Europe thanks to their draw at home to Chelsea. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool will spend Christmas Day four points clear at the top of the Premier League table thanks to a breathtaking 6-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur in North London. 22 December 2024 talksport.com Kylian Mbappe struck a landmark effort to put himself firmly among Real Madrid's elite. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has insisted that he is "absolutely happy" with his side's goalless draw at Everton on Sunday. 22 December 2024 talksport.com If you thought Mohamed Salah couldn't set yet another record, think again. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk For a second time in successive Gulf Cup competitions, The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait will meet in the group stage, with this upcoming game taking place on Tuesday at Jaber Al-Amad International Stadium in Kuwait City. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong is supposedly not a 'concrete target' for Liverpool amid speculation over Trent Alexander-Arnold's future. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid moved into second spot in the La Liga table courtesy of a 4-2 success over Sevilla in Sunday afternoon's contest at Bernabeu, with Los Blancos ending 2024 on a high note. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Oman and Qatar will compete in the Gulf Cup for the first time in over a decade on Tuesday at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, each seeking their first victory in this edition of the tournament. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly received offers from three clubs for defender Eric Garcia, but the player is pushing against a move away from Catalonia during the January transfer window. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have broken two unwanted club Premier League records in their humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk New Wolverhampton Wanderers' boss Vitor Pereira earned three points when his side comfortably beat Ruud van Nistelrooy's Leicester City 3-0 away from home on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League. 22 December 2024 talksport.com Aaron Ramsdale was spotted wearing a modified goalkeeper glove in Southampton's Premier League clash at Fulham. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea squandered the chance to go top of the Premier League table for a couple of hours as Everton held the Blues to a goalless stalemate at Goodison Park. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Djed Spence has been named in the Tottenham Hotspur starting XI for their Premier League clash with Liverpool, while Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo get the nod up front for the visitors. 22 December 2024 talksport.com Manchester United were beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth in a defeat that saw Ruben Amorim's side achieve an unwanted record. 22 December 2024 talksport.com Gary Neville believes that Ruben Amorim will allow Marcus Rashford to leave Manchester United for the sake of 'himself and the club'. 22 December 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola isn't immune from the sack at Manchester City having continued their unprecedented and dismal run of form. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly earmarked Leeds United shot-stopper Illan Meslier as one of two goalkeeper targets ahead of the January transfer window. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified Burnley's James Trafford as their top transfer target for the January transfer window.