02:16
Thank you!
Thank you for tuning into Mail Online’s live coverage of the Copa America opener between Argentina and Canada.
Both teams will play again on Tuesday as group stage action continues. Canada will take on Peru at 6 PM ET while Argentina look to keep their streak going against Chile at 9 PM ET.
02:12
The final numbers
Argentina led Canada in most aspects of the game, the good and the bad.
Messi and Co. controlled 64.5 per cent of the possession, outshot the Canadians 19-10 (9-2 on target), and had seven corner kicks to Canada’s four.
On the other hand, Argentina had 15 fouls to their opposition’s nine. Crepeau was the busier keeper, making six saves to Martinez’s two.
Both teams had two yellow cards.
02:05
Argentina win 2-0!
After 90 minutes, Argentina secured a 2-0 win over Canada to gain three points and top position in Group A
.
Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored the goals as Messi struggled to find the back of the net all evening.
01:58
Argentina strike again!
Lautaro Martinez proved to be the super sub as he doubles Argentina’s lead in the 87th.
Messi split the Canadian defense with a sharp pass to find Martinez on the run. He the placed the ball beautifully past Crepeau to give Argentina the 2-0 cushion.
01:46
Argentina use first subs
Argeninta bring in Lautaro Martinez for goal-scorer Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Otamendi for Leandro Paredes.
Argentina hold their 1-0 lead with 15 minutes (plus stoppage) left in the game.
01:37
Messi misses twice
Messi had the chance to double their lead in the 64th after breaking away in a counterattack.
After hitting Crepeau’s gloves with his initial shot, Messi had a goal on the silver platter before getting his follow-up blocked by Derek Austin Cornelius’ head.
01:17
Argentina scores!
Argentina take the 1-0 lead, thanks to a goal from Julian Alvarez in the 48th.
Alvarez capitalized on the goal being unguarded after Mac Allister collided with Crepeau in the box.
01:13
Second half begins
Can either side break the deadlock in Atlanta? Argentina and Canada kickoff the second half of the Copa America opener from Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
00:54
Scoreless at halftime
After an intense 45 minutes, Canada and Argentina are 0-0 at the intermission.
The champions controlled 65.9 per cent of possession and put three of their seven attempts on-frame. Canada also made seven attempts with one hitting the target.
00:52
Martinez saves Argentina
After Argentina’s header got saved, Emiliano Martinez responded with a save of his own on the other end – keeping his clean sheat.
00:48
Mac Allister's header gets saved
Rodrigo De Paul served a beautiful cross from the right side of Canada’s box to find the Liverpool midfielder in the 39th.
Mac Allister’s attempt was an easy catch for Maxime Crepeau. The game stays scoreless.
00:40
Canada miss three in a row
Alphonso Davies presented an opporutnity for his team to score by driving down the wing and playing the ball into the box. His teammates had three attempts in the same sequence with the third skying over the post.
00:29
Argentina leads in possession and attempts 20 minutes in
The defending champions have controlled 60.5 percent of the possesion and have four shots to Canada’s two (1-0 on target) nearly a quarter into the game.
Canada had a corner and a save.
00:22
Messi makes history
The eight-time Balon d’Or now holds the record for the most appearances in Copa America history.
00:17
Messi misses his first shot
The Argentina star found a breaktrhough in the 9th minute but could not get his attempt on target. He was also flagged offside after missing the golden opportunity.
00:13
Leandro Paredes hits the first shot of the game
Paredes took a shot just outside of Canada’s box to give the game its first real opportunity right before the five-minute mark. Unfortunately, the shot went above the cross bar.
Argentina is looking sharp with their passes.
00:08
Argentina and Canada kickoff Copa America 2024
Canada kick off from center field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to begin the tournament.
23:53
Sergio Aguero presents the Copa America trophy
Argentina and Manchester City legend Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero placed the Copa America trophy on the stand as the Argentina and Canada prepare to kickoff the tournament.
Aguero was part of the Argentina roster that won the cup in 2021.
23:48
Argentina take the field for warm-ups
The defending champions have taken the pitch and began warming up. Messi, De Paul and Di Maria are pictured with the rest of the team before the opening ceremony.
23:41
Messi fans flood the Peach State
Argentina fans are making their presence felt outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Supporters are seen sporting jerseys with the eight-time Balon d’Or winner’s name and number as the team takes the field for warmups.
23:35
Canada look to bounce back to start the tournament
After beating Trinidad and Tobago, 2-0, in the Concacaf Nations League, the Canadians suffered a 4-0 loss to Netherlands in a friendly. They then drew scoreless against France in their latest outing. The task at hand does not get easier for Davies and Co. as they face the reigning World Cup and Copa America champions to start their campaign.
23:28
Alphonso Davies leads Canada's starting lineup
The Bayern Munich left back captains Canada as they get the first jab at the defending champions in Group A action.
23:24
Messi to start for La Albiceleste
Leo Messi will wear the captain’s armband as he leads his team against Canada. Angel Di Maria, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, and Emiliano Martinez will start alongside the Inter Miami star.
23:20
Can Argentina keep the momentum?
Leo Messi and Co. are heading into their Copa America opener behind four consecutive wins in international friendlies.
The Argentines scored a total of 11 goals against El Slavador, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Guatemala and conceded two goals.
23:12
Good evening!
Hello and welcome to Mail Sport’s live coverage of tonight’s Copa America curtain-raiser between Argentina and Canada.
Lionel Messi and Co are set to begin the defense of their crown over in Atlanta, where they face a Canada side with high hopes of a run at the tournament under new coach Jesse Marsch.
It promises to be a fascinating evening, and we’ll be bringing you live updates and developments throughout – so stay tuned here on Mail Sport!
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