Canada’s national team lost 2-0 to Argentina and Lionel Messi in the semi-final stage of their first ever Copa America campaign.
Contrary to what many expected before the game, Canada looked the better team with fewer attacks in the early stages. Nashville SC midfielder, Jacob Shaffelburg got the best of Gonzalo Montiel on several occasions but fired just wide of the post to ease the pressure levels for Argentina fans around the world.
In the 22nd minute, the reigning champions scored the first through Julian Alvarez. Rodrigo De Paul played Julian Alvarez in goal and the Manchester City striker easily finished off Maxime Crepeau to put La Albiceleste 1-0 up.
Argentina doubled their lead minutes into the second half after Enzo Fernandez’s header from the penalty area deflected off the legendary Lionel Messi and was headed in by Crepau. A VAR check showed that Derek Cornelius was playing alongside Messi as the South American country edged closer to a place in the Copa America final.
The reigning FIFA World Cup champions will hold on to a 2-0 lead from the remainder of the match to advance to the final, where they will face the winner of Colombia vs. Uruguay. Canada wasn’t really that bad, it’s just that their Copa America campaign ended with the best national team in the world.
Argentina will be in for a physical battle regardless of who they face in the final but will fancy their chances of repeating as Copa America champions.
On the other hand, Canadian fans have a lot to be excited about with their talented crop of players who need more time together under new coach Jesse Marsch. The team created a handful of real scoring chances early on but could not really test Emiliano ‘Emi’ Martinez, and the CONCACAF nation will look to improve on the bottom third in time to reach the 2026 World Cup.
GK: Maxime Crepeau – 6/10 – Maybe he could have done better in the first goal, but his defense made him slow down there. There was nothing else he could do about Messi’s disallowed goal.
RB: Alistair Johnston – 6/10 – It may have been a Marsch tweak, but at times Johnston and Laryea switched defensively – which was fun to see but seemed to leave Canada a little confused defensively.
CB: Moise Bombito – 6/10 – He has been the star player so far in the tournament but he has not been able to shake Alvarez off the ball when he hits the ball.
CB: Derek Cornelius – 6/10 – He was unlucky to find himself offside when he scored Argentina’s second goal when he tried to intercept the pass in front. Cornelius was subbed off before the goal, however, which brought pressure to the Canadian backline.
LB: Alphonso Davies – 6/10 – He went forward a few times with his blistering pace to help the attack. However, his decision-making in the final third was not the best.
RM: Richie Laryea – 6/10 – It gave Tagliafico problems down the right in the first half before faltering as the game wore on.
CM: Ismael Kone – 7/10 – Kone continues to improve with each passing game and has done his part to give Canada a fighting chance for a semifinal berth.
CM: Stephen Eustaquio – 6/10 – The FC Porto midfielder enjoyed a couple of solid moments in possession, moving in and out of tight spaces to drive the ball forward. However, it was not enough to lead Canada to victory.
LM: Jacob Schaffelburg – 7/10 – Canada’s best player in the first half found himself in a couple of tight spots but couldn’t keep it out. Couldn’t keep up the momentum in the second 45 and was caught 10 minutes after the restart.
ST: Cyle Larin – 7/10 – Showed solid play and managed to tie the game together in the opening stages. It faded as the game went on, however.
ST: Jonathan David – 5/10 – He didn’t feature in the first 45 and didn’t show much in the second half as his touch let him down many times.
What you are holding
SUB: Ali Ahmed (55′ for Laryea) – 6/10 – Tried to make things happen in the bottom right but it didn’t click.
SUB: Liam Millar (55′ for Schaffelburg) – 6/10 – Couldn’t provide the spark Canada needed in the wide areas.
SUB: Tani Oluwaseyi (64′ for David) – 6/10 – It didn’t bring a presence to the front next to Larin.
SUB: Jonathan Osorio (71′ for Davies) – 6/10 – A few good moments in football but they didn’t help the progress of the game.
SUB: Mathieu Choiniere (71′ for Eustaquio) – N/A
The manager
Jesse Marsch – 7/10 – He handled the game well given the difference in talent between the two sides. Canada set themselves up for early success but couldn’t get it together in front of goal which was no fault of Marsch as he chose David and Larin to lead the line. It will be interesting to see how Canada fares under Marsch in the upcoming Gold Cup and Nations League tournaments leading up to the 2026 World Cup.
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