Reigning Copa America and World Cup champions Argentina weren’t at their sharpest and Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was strong as the Albiceleste opened their title defense with a 2-0 win in Atlanta on Thursday.
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Jesse Marsch’s Canadians fought hard and had a couple of prime scoring chances, but Alphonso Davies did not bring his finishing boots and Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez had theirs at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Lionel Messi could not convert a pair of breakaways but helped set up Alvarez’s opener and played super sub Martinez into the box for the second as Argentina struck twice in the second half.
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Both teams took seven shots in a scoreless first half, though Argentina doubled the amount of Canada’s completed passes in the frame.
The second half was less kind to Marsch’s men, as Argentina was credited with a remarkable seven big chances. Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez only needed to make two saves on the night.
Marsch marshals Canadians but Argentina too talented
Take nothing away from Canada, who is undermanned or young at multiple key positions including center back. Jesse Marsch’s men showed the same fight for which they were known under now Toronto FC boss John Herdman. And how might this game have changed if Davies was able to finish one of at least two very good chances that fell to the Bayern Munich back?
But Argentina was pretty casual for the occasion, perhaps underestimating the Canucks, and it affected their sharpness in and around the box. Oh, and there was luck, too, as Messi danced around Crepeau but saw his chipped finish hit the head of prone Canadian defender Derek Cornelius (Malmo).
Crepeau was a huge factor in keeping the score line down, too, as he answered plenty of questions in place of Canadian MNT legend Milan Borjan. Cap. No. 18 was exceptional, as Crepeau made six saves.
Argentina 2-0 Canada player ratings (fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Canada play Peru at 6pm ET Tuesday at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, while Argentina is off to New Jersey for CONMEBOL for Chile.
How to watch Argentina vs Canada, stream link and start time
Kick off: 8pm ET, Thursday (June 20)
Stadium: Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
How to watch on TV in USA: FS1, Fox Sports
Lautaro Martinez goal, Messi assist (video) — Argentina 2-0 Canada
Messi’s touch on this pass is ethereal, and Martinez’s finish is nearly as good.
Lionel Messi down after reckless late tackle
Canadian midfielder Moise Bombito’s reckless tackle on Lionel Messi has Atlanta quite nervous.
Bombito got the ball first but the bottom of his boot goes studs into Messi’s ankle and then the lunge becomes a scissor tackle.
Messi eventually rises and plays on.
Julian Alvarez goal (video) — Argentina 1-0 Canada (49th minute)
It’s that man again, and he’s helping to set up a Man City star (through a Liverpool star).
Lionel Messi’s entry pass leaves the ball where Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau is going to have to beat Alexis Mac Allister to it.
Mac Allister gets clobbered by the keeper as neither man gets control of the ball, and then Julian Alvarez buries the leftovers into the goal.
Argentina team news, focus
Messi won’t need to star to get out of this group, but he will likely enjoy his tournament opener against a Canada team still figuring out Marsch’s system. Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Rodrigo De Paul headline an outstanding midfield that will expect to control this game.
Canada team news, focus
The Canadians will hope to strike with venom through Davies and David, but won’t have longtime star goalkeeper Milan Borjan and there are questions as to whether Maxime Crepeau, Dayne St. Clair, or Tom McGill will step up in his stead. St. Clair started versus the Dutch and made six saves while Crepeau kept the clean sheet against France with four stops.
Argentina vs Canada prediction
Marsch will have some tricks up his sleeve to challenge Argentina but the gulf in quality between the two sides is wide. Argentina 3-1 Canada.
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