Messi’s Record Breaking Goal Sends Argentina to Copa America Final 2024
Lionel Messi’s Record-Breaking 109th International Goal Sends Argentina to Copa America 2024 Final.
Argentina, the reigning champions, defeated Canada 2-0 behind Lionel Messi’s 109th goal for his country, guaranteeing their place in the Copa America final. Messi is currently just three goals short of the record, having scored 28 goals in his last 25 Argentinean games and 14 goals overall in Copa America history.
“This team’s performance, the Argentina national team’s performance, is incredible,” Messi declared on Tuesday evening following his 109th goal for his country to cement a 2-0 victory over Canada and secure a spot in this weekend’s Copa America final. “The fact that the national team is in another final is extremely impressive, especially for those of us who are from the old guard.”
“This team’s performance, the Argentina national team’s performance, is incredible,” Messi declared on Tuesday evening following his 109th goal for his country to cement a 2-0 victory over Canada and secure a spot in this weekend’s Copa America final. “The fact that the national team is in another final is extremely impressive, especially for those of us who are from the old guard.”
In the 22nd minute, Julian Alvarez gave the Albiceleste the lead. After receiving a long pass from Rodrigo De Paul, he only two touches to get past Moise Bombito and slip the ball between Maxime Crepeau’s legs for his ninth goal for his country.
In the 51st minute, Messi scored his first goal of the competition, deflecting Enzo Fernandez’s attempt after a shoddy Ismael Kone clearance in off the face of Crepeau from 4 yards. Messi is three goals short of the record with 28 goals in his past 25 Argentinean games, including 14 in Copa America play. He has earned points in 38 different countries.
Messi remarked, “I wasn’t sure if Enzo’s ball was going to get in.” “It was an instinct.”
With 130 goals, only Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal has scored more goals for his country than Messi, who turned 37 on June 24. Ali Daei of Iran scored 108 or 109 goals between 1993 and 2006, although there is still debate about whether his goal against Ecuador in 2000 was scored during a full international match.
On the eve of its independence, Argentina won, extending their winning run to ten games. When the Albiceleste play Uruguay or Colombia on Sunday at Miami Gardens, Florida, they hope to win a record 16 Copa titles.
Messi stated, “We have to savor every second of this life we have.” “I know that these are the final fights.”
Argentina aims to emulate Spain’s accomplishment of winning the 2008 and 2012 European Championships in addition to the 2010 World Cup by tying Copa America crowns to the 2022 World Cup victory.
“These are numerical data. Through a translator, Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni stated, “I’m not really interested about it.” “Winning is the most important thing.”
Messi, who was playing in his 38th Copa America match, remained quiet during the 90-minute victory over Ecuador in the quarterfinals and had missed Argentina’s group stage match due to a leg injury. With his increased agility, he missed a shot in the 12th and 44th minutes.
Messi completed 45 touches with a 79% completion percentage. Crepeau remarked, “They make us pay on little details.”
The makeshift lawn at MetLife seemed hefty, dribbling water and revealing grains of sand. Messi stated of the Copa America, “It’s been very difficult; very competitive, bad surfaces, excessive heat.”
Also Read: Lionel Messi Leads Argentina to Historic Copa America Victory Over Brazil in 2021
On the eve of the match, supporters of Argentina congregated in Times Square and packed Manhattan’s streets before making their way to MetLife Stadium. On an 82-degree night with 82% humidity, the 80,102-strong crowd was predominantly pro-Argentina, with the exception of a few sections dominated by red-clad Canadian supporters.
For Canadian soccer, who finished 0–6 in its two World Cup appearances (1986 and 2022) and claimed its lone major championship at the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup, it was one of the most important matches. In the first match of the competition on June 20, Argentina had defeated Canada 2-0.
“We were somewhat overtaken by the tournament,” stated Jesse Marsch, the coach for Canada. “Heat, travel, and other obstacles have all been experienced. I believe we are still in the early stages of our process.
Argentina may have been together for eight years, but this team has only been together for seven. As a result, we need to produce more players who can contribute so that we can alternate in tournament play before exhaustion and physically catch up with you.
Alphonso Davies, a star player for Canada, hobbled off in the 71st minute after a clean challenge with Gonzalo Montiel caught his right leg. “He’s getting an X-ray, so we’re hopeful he’s OK, but we’re not sure,” Marsch stated.
Canada had two shots on goal: in stoppage time in the first half, Emiliano Martinez denied Jonathan David from close range, and in the 89th, Martinez stopped Tani Oluwaseyi’s kick.
“We began acting carelessly. After trading jerseys with Messi, defender Derek Cornelius stated, “We started getting away from the game plan.”
Scaloni and supporters hope that Messi and Argentina will return to MetLife for the 2026 World Cup final, despite Messi’s reference to “last battles.” Scaloni declared, “We will never be the ones to close the door.” “He is free to stay on our team for however long he desires.”
