Canada’s memorable Copa America run ends at the hands of Messi and Argentina

It was arguably the biggest match in the history of the Canadian men’s national soccer team, but it didn’t have the fairy tale ending many had hoped for.

Pitted against the No. 1 ranked team in the world and current World Cup champion, in the semifinals of Copa America, Canada fell 2-0 to Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday night.

Argentina looks to defend their championship in the #CA2024 final! pic.twitter.com/H9Lno1lH8X

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 10, 2024

Despite the final score, it was a game that showed Canada is not far off the giants of the global soccer world and there’s plenty to be excited about in the lead up to the 2026 World Cup on home soil.

It was a very positive start for Canada with a few exciting build-ups that resulted in opportunities around Argentina’s box, but they were unable to manage a shot on target.

Then it was Argentina’s first shot on target that broke the ice at MetLife, with Julián Álvarez squeezing through the Canadian backline as he corralled a long through ball from Rodrigo De Paul.

Álvarez managed to outmuscle Moise Bombito and deposit the ball through Maxime Crepeau’s legs to give the favourites a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute.

ARGENTINA STRIKES FIRST 🇦🇷

Julian Alvarez opens the scoring to give Argentina a 1-0 lead.#CA2024 pic.twitter.com/wBbN7Uv4cH

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 10, 2024

Canada responded nicely to the adversity and pressed for an equalizer, but were not able to truly threaten the Argentinian goal and the game entered halftime 1-0.

The back breaker came in the 51st minute when Lionel Messi got a foot on an Enzo Fernandez shot, deflecting the ball past Crepeau to double the lead.

Despite a quick VAR check for offside, the goal stood and the task became monumental for Canada down 2-0 with around 40 minutes to play.

Despite losing captain Alphonso Davies to an injury in the 71st minute, Canada’s most impressive stretch of the game may have been the final 20 minutes of play.

They pushed hard to cut into the two-goal deficit and created several exciting chances, but couldn’t find a way to beat Emiliano Martínez in the Argentina goal.

WHAT A CHANCE🇨🇦

Canada with a close chance to score in the finals minutes of this game.#CA2024 pic.twitter.com/JepOg2mYt1

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 10, 2024

WHAT A CHANCE🇨🇦

Canada with a close chance to score in the finals minutes of this game.#CA2024 pic.twitter.com/JepOg2mYt1

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 10, 2024

Argentina awaits and the winner of today’s match between Uruguay and Colombia in the Copa America final on Sunday, but the journey isn’t quite over for Canada either.

The loser of that other semifinal game will join Canada in the third place match on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

"If we want to be a nation that gains ranking spots and be ready for '26, we (have) to dig deeper than that tonight even though we give a good effort," Crepeau said after the game.

"Even though they are the world champions, everybody on the field feels like we could have done better…We need to regroup and go for third place."

Derek Cornelius and Lionel Messi swap jerseys🤝#CA2024 pic.twitter.com/WfBArCTRaP

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 10, 2024

While they won’t play in the final on Sunday, it would be wrong to call their Copa America debut anything other than a wild success for Canada.

Ranked No. 48 heading into the tournament, they made the semifinal alongside the No. 1, No. 12 and No. 14 ranked countries in the world.

Saturday’s third place match may not have been the dream ahead of Tuesday’s semifinal clash, but it’s one that will certainly mean a lot to the Canadian men’s program.