The reigning South American and world champions can go one better. Argentina repeats the result of the opening match and moves into the final. Messi also scores for the first time.
Ángel Di María had tears in his eyes, and Lionel Messi let him and his teammates hug him. After the 2-0 (1-0) semi-final win against Canada, the football world champions are once again in the final of the Copa América.
It could be the last major final in which 37-year-old Messi and 36-year-old Di María will play together for Argentina. “These are the last battles,” Messi said after the semi-final victory against the Canadians. “We should enjoy everything we experience as a national team.”
Argentina’s dream of defending their title at the Copa América lives on. Thanks in part to superstar Messi, who played from the start against Canada despite a previous leg injury and scored his first goal of the tournament. Julián Álvarez (22nd minute) had previously made it 1-0 for the Argentinians at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford near New York City. In the final, the Albiceleste will face the winner of the second semi-final between Colombia and Uruguay. For Canada, which took part in the South American championship as a guest for the first time, third place is still at stake on Saturday.
“I feel joy, nothing but happiness,” said an emotionally overwhelmed Di María. Álvarez had put his team in the lead after a pass from Rodrigo De Paul. After the break, Enzo Fernández deflected a shot from Messi to make it 2-0. In the quarter-final against Ecuador, the 37-year-old had missed a penalty – but the world champions still advanced after a 4-2 win. Before the game, hundreds of Argentinian fans got in the mood for the game with drums and singing in Times Square in New York City.
Source: Stern
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