Argentina vs. Canada final score: Copa America 2024 semifinal result as Messi goal sends Albiceleste to final

Kyle Bonn

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Argentina vs. Canada final score: Copa America 2024 semifinal result as Messi goal sends Albiceleste to final image

Canada gave it a real run, and can be proud of their 2024 Copa America performance overall, but they were no match for defending champions Argentina, who secured a spot in the final with a 2-0 win on Tuesday in East Rutherford.

Julian Alvarez opened the scoring in the first half, and Lionel Messi scored his first goal of this summer's competition to finish off the game soon after the second half began.

Canada, who also fell 2-0 to Argentina in their first group game of the competition, were the last CONCACAF team standing with a Copa America showing to be proud of. Yet, they were done in by familiar mistakes of poor finishing and defensive errors. They showed quality in certain moments, and certainly wouldn't back down from the challenge, but failed to match the quality of Messi and his fellow World Cup winners.

While reaching the Copa America at all is a proud moment for Les Rouges, the tournament ended with a thud as they succumbed to the same lack of quality on both ends that has plagued them in the past against top opponents. It got worse, as Alphonso Davies had to be withdrawn late with an injury after a hard challenge by Rodrigo De Paul.

Argentina, meanwhile, are headed to their third straight Copa America final, and are now 90 minutes away from a title defense as they will play either Colombia or Uruguay in Miami on Sunday with the trophy on the line.

MORE: Copa America 2024 bracket and results, updated LIVE | Updated list of top goal scorers at 2024 Copa America | How to watch all the Copa America action

Argentina vs. Canada final score

 ScoreGoal scorers
Argentina2Alvarez (22'),
Messi (51')
Canada0 

Venue: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Referee: Piero Meza (Chile)

Starting lineups:

Argentina (4-3-3, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 4. Montiel (Molina, 70'), 13. Romero, 25. Li. Martinez, 3. Tagliafico (Otamendi, 63') — 24. E. Fernandez, 20. Mac Allister (Palacios, 78'), 7. De Paul — 10. Messi, 9. Alvarez (La. Martinez, 78'), 11. Di Maria (N. Gonzalez, 78').

Canada (4-4-2, right to left): 16. Crepeau (GK) — 2. Johnston, 15. Bombito, 13. Cornelius, 19. Davies (Osorio, 70') — 22. Laryea (Ahmed, 55'), 8. Kone, 7. Eustaquio (Choiniere, 71'), 14. Shaffelburg (Millar, 55') — 9. Larin, 10. David (Oluwaysi, 63').

MORE: USA men's Olympic soccer roster 2024: Americans leave rising star Diego Luna out

Argentina vs. Canada live updates, highlights from Copa America 2024

FULLTIME: Argentina 2-0 Canada

It's comprehensive from Argentina, who capitalize on their own quality and Canada's errors as goals from Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi — his first of the tournament — send the Albiceleste through to the final. Canada can be immensely proud of their tournament on the whole, but it was clear who the better side was tonight.

Lionel Scaloni is 90 minutes from steering Argentina to a third major trophy in a row. Derek Cornelius is the lucky Canadian international to trade jerseys with Lionel Messi after the final whistle.

90th min: Chance, Canada! Another miss from the CONCACAF side!! A brilliant header by Tani Oluwaseyi on a cross from the left is put wide of the far post! He's got the entire goal to pick out from six yards out but somehow can't put the shot on target!

Four minutes of stoppage time are shown, as Canada push to the end hoping to find a consolation to take home with them.

HIGHLIGHT: Watch in USA | Watch in Canada

89th min: Chance, Canada! You knew this one wouldn't be complete without a big save from Emi Martinez! Canada generate a high turnover, but Tani Oluwaseyi's effort in transition is saved by the outstretched leg of Dibu!

87th min: It's finishing with a whimper from Canada, as Argentina are seeing this one out quite comfortably. Canada look toothless without Davies on the field.

A yellow card is shown to Nahuel Molina for bulldozing Jonathan Osorio, who had already released the ball.

79th min: Look out! Ismael Kone is booked for a totally ridiculous moment of idiocy, kicking the ball straight into the back of Rodrigo De Paul, who is laying on the ground. It's trivial, as he doesn't kick it very hard, but also really quite silly from Kone. De Paul, as he did before, milks it screaming in pain.

78th min: There's a triple change for Argentina, who are for all intents and purposes through to the final. Lautaro Martinez, the tournament's leading scorer, comes on for Julian Alvarez, while Angel Di Maria and Alexis Mac Allister also exit, replaced by Exequiel Palacios and Nico Gonzalez.

70th min: Alphonso Davies does finally come off the pitch, and Jonathan Osorio replaces him, while Ali Ahmed enters as well. Meanwhile, Gonzalo Montiel is swapped out for Nahuel Molina.

66th min: Now Alphonso Davies is down in a heap under a crunching tackle by Rodrigo De Paul. He's in real pain and needs medical treatment, with the replay showing his right leg was scissored by the challenge, but it did appear to be a legal one.

Canada fans are holding their breaths in the hope that it's nothing serious for their talented young Bayern Munich star. Davies tries to run it off, but he goes right back down on the turf, and he'll need to be substituted off. Canada only have one more substitution window, so they have to use both their final changes right here. This is so unfortunate as Canada lose one of their best players for the stretch run.

63rd min: Stephen Eustaquio is booked for a tactical foul taking down Rodrigo De Paul in transition to stop an Argentina counterattack. The replay shows there was essentially zero contact on the tackle, but De Paul milks it as much as he possibly can, rolling around in pain. If he's hurting, it can't be from that tackle.

Both sides make more substitutions as Jonathan David is withdrawn and replaced by Tani Oluwaysi, while Nicolas Otamendi enters for Argentina in the place of Nicolas Tagliafico.

61st min: Chance, Argentina! A big save by Maxime Crepeau who denies Julian Alvarez on the break! A lovely pass over the head of Moise Bombito lands right at the feet of Alvarez, whose first two touches put him in a great position, but his shot is right at the Canada goalkeeper who stands tall to the task.

55th min: With Canada down two, Jesse Marsch has to sell out for a comeback. He yanks Richie Laryea in favor of Ali Ahmed, while Jacob Shaffelburg is replaced by Liam Miller. Shaffelburg was so bright in the first half but hasn't been able to have the same influence on the game after the break.

51st min: GOAL! ARGENTINA! Lionel Messi has his first goal of the Copa America! Enzo Fernandez takes a shot in miles of space atop the penalty area, and Messi is right there on the doorstep to clip it with his foot and redirect the ball past Maxime Crepeau off the goalkeeper's face!

There are huge shouts from the Canadians for offside, but Derek Cornelius is playing everyone onside and can't get back high enough in time before Enzo's shot is taken! In the end, it's expertly done by Messi who made that happen as he knew Crepeau would have been able to make the save on Enzo's initial shot.

Watch in USA:

Watch in Canada:

49th min: Just like in the first half, Canada build forward so well with a beautiful spell of passing but it fizzles out at the end thanks to indecision and a poor entry feed into the penalty area. It's so close for Canada, but they cannot cap off these good moves with quality attacking combinations.

47th min: Jesse Marsch gets a warning from the referee as the whistle blew for the ball rolling out for a throw-in. He's got a gripe, as the ball didn't appear to go all the way out amidst a Canada progression.

2nd half kickoff: They're back under way in New Jersey, and there are no changes for either side. Canada need to trouble Argentina in the midfield a bit more if they are going to prevent the defending champions from scoring a second, and they'll need to be less wasteful to score a goal of their own.

HALFTIME: Argentina 1-0 Canada

Just like in the group match between these two teams, Canada had a few chances to get forward and hurt Argentina but came up short, while the defending champions took advantage of a defensive error to go in front. Canada have had their moments, but largely, they were overwhelmed by the best international side in the world.

Obviously, the next goal is vitally important, but it feels like Argentina are far more likely to find the net next. Jesse Marsch is furious with his side for moving too slow and failing to make decisive movements.

45+2 min: Chance, Canada! Off a long throw by Alistair Johnston, Jonathan David has a shot saved from a very tight angle at the right post! It earns a corner, which is played short after wasting a lot of time discussing the chance, and it's cleared at the end of it.

44th min: Chance, Argentina! Lionel Messi fires just inches wide of the left post! The left-footed effort is agonizingly close, but after sending Alistair Johnston flying by with a delicious chop, he can't find the target! Messi is still searching for his first goal at the 2024 Copa America...

HIGHLIGHT: Watch in USA | Watch in Canada

41st min: Richie Laryea gives Julian Alvarez a healthy bump as the latter comes up short running onto a pinged ball forward. Alvarez did not appreciate the coming-together and has some words for Laryea as Canada regain possession. Something to watch moving forward for sure...

35th min: Nicolas Tagliafico has a shot that canons off a defender out for a corner, and the set-piece is served onto the forehead of Lisandro Martinez, but the delivery is headed off target for a goal kick. Argentina are beginning to gain full control of this match and seem the more likely side to score next.

32nd min: The first yellow card of the match is shown to Jonathan David, who needlessly sticks his boot into the gut of Cristian Romero amidst an aerial duel.

30th min: Canada are showing good intent as they look to mount a response to the game's first goal, but it's just not happening in midfield. They aren't finding the right options as they progress the ball forward, and numerous incisive balls don't find their mark. It's beginning to frustrated the Canada players as they misplace pass after pass.

22nd min: GOAL! ARGENTINA! Julian Alvarez puts Argentina in front after a mistake at the back by Canada! He expertly collects a vertical ball from Rodrigo De Paul as he beats Moise Bombito, and the Man City striker skates around the ensuing tackle before finishing past a charging Maxime Crepeau!

Watch in USA:

Watch in Canada:

17th min: Oh wow, Canada had a big chance as Jonathan David was fed one-on-one just about 12 yards from goal, but he can't get a shot off! That was a massive opening for David, but the ball gets stuck at his feet! Once he's shut off, he looks to find a teammate to feed making a supporting run but his lateral pass is off the mark and the chance goes begging.

Canada have been so wasteful this tournament!

HIGHLIGHT: Watch in USA | Watch in Canada

12th min: Chance, Argentina! Lionel Messi puts a shot wide! He gets on the ball from an Angel Di Maria cutback and fires a left-footed effort that skitters wide of the near post.

8th min: Chance, Canada! Jacob Shaffelburg has been bright for Canada down the left, getting on the ball running at the Argentina defenders on the break. This time, he gets a shot off that's scuffed across the face of goal. A decent half-chance that will make the Argentina back line nervy.

HIGHLIGHT: Watch in USA | Watch in Canada

4th min: Canada get forward down the right-hand side, and while Argentina manage to see the ball out of play for a corner, Jesse Marsch loves it, shown furiously clapping on the touchline as his team shows an attacking impetus.

The corner is headed clear and kept in play by Rodrigo De Paul.

Kickoff: National anthems are complete, and they're under way in the cloudy and humid New Jersey swamp! Argentina look to put themselves 90 minutes from a title defense, while Canada seek an historic upset!

Argentina vs. Canada: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more

15 mins to kickoff: Radar is clear for now, so looks like the weather won't be an issue at the start of the match! Chilean referee Piero Meza, who once used custom yellow cards with a drawing of himself on them, will take charge of this semifinal with a spot in the title match on the line!

30 mins to kickoff: Argentina goalkeeper Emi "Dibu" Martinez, who was the penalty shootout hero in the quarterfinals, has the Argentine flag painted into his hair. It's not the first time he's had a colorful hairstyle to show off for his national team.

45 mins to kickoff: There's a significant chance of stormy weather tonight in the New York area, which will be something to watch as this match gets closer to kickoff. Thunder and lightning could delay the start of the match or cause a stoppage should it have already begun.

If anything happens, you'll hear it here first.

1 hour to kickoff: The lineups are in, and there's a major wrinkle for Lionel Scaloni and the World Cup champions. While he's sticking with the 4-3-3 over the 4-4-2 he trialed earlier in the tournament, it features Julian Alvarez at the top instead of the in-form Lautaro Martinez who starts with a seat on the bench despite his current status as the Copa America's leading goal scorer.

For Canada, Jesse Marsch appears to be utilizing a 4-4-2 with Jacob Shaffelburg retaining his place on the wing following his winner in the quarterfinals.

1 hour 15 mins to kick: Uh oh, Canada! Drake, who hails from Toronto, has placed a $300,000 bet on Canada to progress tonight.

Why is that a problem? Well, Drake’s lack of success in the sports betting market has been widely documented. In fact, he’s been so bad at it that some believe he’s a curse.

1 hour 30 mins to kick: Lionel Messi has not been at his best at the 2024 Copa America, and he struggled for stretches of the Ecuador match. Messi himself told reporters his thigh injury has healed, but Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has suggested that it may still have been affecting him.

Speaking of his own heroics in the penalty shootout against Ecuador, Dibu said, "He was coming off a very strong injury in his adductor, and I felt like I had to help him when he missed the penalty."

1 hour 45 mins to kick: While Alistair Johnston plays up the importance of this game, his head coach Jesse Marsch was doing the opposite, insisting this match was just another part of their long-term process aiming for growth.

Marsch has impressed in his short time at the helm of Canada. He brought a very specific tactical preference with him into the job, one that might not be suited for the caginess of international football, but he has proven highly adaptable in that regard. He pointed to a comfortability at the federation which has helped him do his job, saying he is "at the point in my life where I don’t want to deal with bulls***," insinuating that so far he has not needed to worry about such frivolities in his current position.

2 hours to kickoff: While Canada have already achieved so much at the 2024 Copa America just reaching this stage, they know a shock result tonight would catapult them into the stratosphere. Alistair Johnston, a former Wake Forest product who’s been a mainstay in the Canada setup for years now, has called this match “the biggest match since I’ve been in the program, since I’ve followed the program, even bigger than the World Cup matches.“

High praise indeed.

2 hours 30 mins to kickoff: Canada’s presence in the semifinal is of paramount importance to the growth of their national team. While Les Rouges impressed in short spurts at the 2022 World Cup, they failed to earn a single point.

Placing results above performances show that Canada players and coaches are learning the lessons of those before them, and they will know that achieving a shock upset today doesn’t necessarily go hand-in-hand with playing beautiful football.

3 hours to kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of Argentina vs. Canada. These teams met in the opening game of the Copa America, with Jesse Marsch's side acquitting themselves well before the holders and world champions claimed a 2-0 win. That surprised a few people and that's how Canada have continued to go about their business on a shock run to the semifinals.

Argentina vs. Canada kickoff time

This Copa America match kicks off from MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, July 9 at 8:00 p.m. local time in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA.

Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe:

 DateKickoff time
USA/CanadaTue, Jul. 98 p.m. ET
USA/CanadaTue, Jul. 95 p.m. PT
UKWed, Jul. 101 a.m. BST
AustraliaWed, Jul. 1010 a.m. AEST
IndiaWed, Jul. 105:30 a.m. IST

Argentina vs. Canada lineups, team news, starting 11

Lionel Messi was sensational against Canada to open the tournament, then decent against Chile before missing the group game against Peru through injury. He was not at his best against Ecuador and was the only Argentine player to miss his penalty during the deciding shootout, but we will surely see a better version of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner in this rematch against Canada as he takes a true No. 10 role at the top of a 4-4-2 diamond formation.

With the captain struggling for goals and fitness, Inter Milan hitman Lautaro Martínez has provided the spark up front and leads the Golden Boot race with four goals, but he must settle for a spot on the bench. Manchester City's dynamic and versatile attacker, Julian Alvarez, scored against Canada in the tournament opener, and the 24-year-old has been deployed up front again in the tactical switch.

At the back, Lisandro Martinez will continue to get the call over Nicolas Otamendi following his goal scoring heroics last time out, with the Manchester United man set to line up alongside Cristian Romero. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was yet again the hero, saving two penalties and Messi's blushes in the penalty shootout to book his side's place in the semifinals.

Argentina starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): E. Martinez (GK) — Montiel, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico — E. Fernandez, Mac Allister, De Paul — Messi, Alvarez, Di Maria.

Argentina subs (15): Armani (GK), Rulli (GK), Pezzella, Quarta, Acuna, Molina, Otamendi, Palacios, Lo Celso, G. Rodriguez, Paredes, Carboni, Garnacho, N. Gonzalez, La. Martinez.

Canada will be without Inter Milan's Tajon Buchanan. The winger broke his tibia in training and will miss the rest of the tournament (and the next four to six months) as he recovers from the devastating injury. Malmo defender Derek Cornelius picked up his second yellow card of the Copa America in the quarterfinal against Venezuela but is available as accumulated bookings are reset in the semifinals.

Head coach Jesse Marsch has selected a different starting XI for every Copa America fixture so far, but one thing is for certain: the manager will ask his front players to be precise and clinical in transitional moments to cause the most damage.

Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies is one of the standout names in the side, and the left-back will operate in a back four alongside Alistair Johnston, Moise Bombito, and Alistair Johnston.

Porto's Stephen Eustaquio lines up in the middle of the park alongside Marseille's Ismael Kone, who re-enters the starting lineup on Tuesday after sitting out their final group match and only coming off the bench last time out.

Lille marksman Jonathan David will provide one of his country's main goal threats, having scored their only goal in the opening phase of this competition, his 27th career international goal. That puts him two behind center-forward Cyle Larin in Canada's career scoring list all-time. Left winger Jacob Shaffelburg scored the opener against Venezuela, and that should prove enough to retain his starting place in the attack.

Canada starting XI (4-4-2, right to left): Crepeau (GK) — Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies — Laryea, Kone, Eustaquio, Shaffelburg — Larin, David.

Canada subs (14): St. Clair (GK), McGill (GK), Ahmed, Bair, Choiniere, De Fougerolles, Hiebert, Millar, Miller, Oluwaseyi, Osorio, Piette, Russell-Rowe, Waterman.

Argentina vs. Canada live stream, TV channel

 TV channelStreaming
USAFS1, Univision, TUDNFubo, Fox Sports app/website, ViX, Univision Now, TUDN app/website
CanadaTSN 1, 3, 4,  CTV Two, RDSTSN+, RDS App, CTV App
UKPremier Sports 1Premier Sports Player
Australia—Optus Sport
India——

WATCH ARGENTINA VS. CANADA FOR FREE

USA: Argentina vs. Canada from MetLife Stadium will be televised in the United States on FS1, with a Spanish-language broadcast via Univision and TUDN. All three channels are available to stream on Fubo, with the latter offering a FREE seven-day trial.

Spanish-language coverage is also available on streaming platform ViX.

UK: This match will be shown in the UK on Premier Sport Player's platforms.

Canada: All Copa America matches can be seen in Canada on TSN's respective TV channel and live streaming services. RDS provides French-language coverage.

Australia: Australia's sole broadcaster for the Copa America is Optus Sport. 

India: Unfortunately, there has been no official confirmation of TV and live stream broadcasts of Copa America in India. Reports had suggested that FanCode and Sony were ready to take up broadcast rights for the tournament but, as yet, that has not been made official. So at the moment, there is no official platform in India on which viewers can stream or any channel on which the match will be broadcast. 

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Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.