PREVIEW – The Argentina v Canada game will be the first of two semi-final matches in the 2024 Copa América competition. Argentina won the previous game by a result of 2-0. Also, both teams made the semi-final round via penalties in the 2024 Copa América quarterfinal round. This will be the 48th ranked team, Canada’s second meeting against the world’s number one ranked team, Argentina, at the 2024 Copa América competition (Source: FIFA).
Note: Wins via penalty kicks will count as draws when looking at the current forms of both teams.
Argentina v Canada: Both Teams Meet Again in the 2024 Copa América Competition
Argentina (4-1-0)
The game against Ecuador was the first time that Argentina (nicknamed: La Albiceleste) did not win a game in the full 90 minutes since their loss to Uruguay on November 16, 2023. Still, they were able to get the result (Source: Reuters on July 5, 2024):
“In penalties, the team has blind confidence in its goalkeeper and that is fundamental,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “Even after Leo’s miss and with all that means for the team, it’s very important that our goalkeeper came up clutch.”
The Argentina goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez, stepped up as he only gave up two goals in five penalty kick attempts made by Ecuador. Also, it looked like in the game, Ecuador was equal, if not better than Argentina in the full 90 minutes. Lisandro Martinez was the only Argentinian player to score a goal for La Albiceleste in normal time.
For the Argentinians, this game is interesting in two aspects. One is that Argentina will be expected to win this game, but at the same time, the players and coaches know they have everything to lose if they get eliminated on Tuesday night, as Canada’s playing with nothing to lose.
Canada (1-3-1)
READ MORE: A Fantastic CanMNT Team Effort in Thrilling Win Over Venezuela
The analysis of the game can be seen above. However, a brief overview of the game was that both Argentina and Canada had many chances to score but failed to convert. Argentina, though, was able to exploit some of the weaknesses of Canada’s defence and create clear-cut scoring opportunities. This was especially true in the second half. While many people would given credit to Canada for making the game close, Alphonso Davies was not happy in the post-game of the June 20, 2024, game (Source: TSN):
“We have to change our attitude towards the game.”
The only other previous encounter between Canada and Argentina was on May 24, 2010, when Canada lost to Argentina by a scoreline of 5-0.
Players To Watch
The player to watch with Canada is Shaffelburg. He is having the tournament of his life as he scored a goal and almost got an assist if Jonathan David had converted on his scoring opportunity. This is what Marsch said about him (Source: TSN):
“No moment is too big for him.”
If Canada is to win this game, they will need Shaffelburg as well as Jonathan David and Cyle Larin. Larin is the all-time leader with 29 goals but have not scored a goal so far. David is another player who missed his chances against Venezuela, but to be fair to him, he did score against Peru and played a big role in Shaffelburg’s goal.
As for Argentina, the players that were part of the Starting 11 of Player of the Week in the quarterfinals were Emiliano Martínez and Lisandro Martinez. E. Martinez is a big reason why Argentina is at this stage of the competition with his big saves, including only giving up two goals on four penalty shot attempts against Ecuador. This is what Argentina head coach, Lionel Scaloni, said about E. Martinez (Source: YS Scores):
Scaloni was also happy with the performance of L. Martinez, their centre-back in the same YS Scores article:
“I am happy for Lisandro Martinez, he played good game.”
How To Watch The Game
This game, like previous CanMNT games, will be televised nationally on TSN/RDS. It will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey at 8:00pm ET on Tuesday July 9, 2024. The other semi-final, which is between Uruguay and Colombia, will take place at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina at 8:00pm ET on July 10, 2024
Photo Credit: Canada Soccer EN X Account and the Canada Soccer FR X Account on June 20, 2024.
