• Lionel Messi was in the right place at the right time, needing just a gentle touch of his legendary left boot to find the back of the net.
• It was Messi’s first goal during this summer’s Copa America tournament.
• Now, Messi and Argentina have a chance to win the whole thing again.
Messi scored a quirky goal early in the second half after Julián Álvarez first half goal leading to defeat of Canada by 2-0, on Tuesday night during their Copa America semifinal at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
“It’s crazy what this group did, what the Argentine national team has been doing,” Messi said after the game. “After this, much more importance will be given to all the finals that I and all of the old group had to play in.”
Argentina will play in the Copa America final on Sunday in Miami – awaiting Colombia and Uruguay to play Wednesday’s semifinal – for a chance to further cement its soccer dynasty.
Argentina, the defending World Cup champion, will pursue its second straight Copa America title. It could be the fourth major international championship in a three-year span — including the 2022 Finalissima win over 2021 Euro champion Italy.
Messi was scoreless through Argentina’s five Copa America matches, and missing one on June 29 to nurse a right groin/adductor injury he has since he returned from the last two matches.
Messi was persistent with three shots in the first half toward the net, growing more and more frustrated to break through and deliver a shining moment during the tournament.
Messi finally delivered, but his goal lacked the theatrics that leave lasting impressions like many others in his career have.