Our prediction for this Copa America match:
After surviving Ecuador in the quarter-finals, Argentina will look to seal their spot in the 2024 Copa America final when they face Canada at MetLife Stadium. La Albiceleste defeated the Canucks 2-0 in the group stages and Leo Messi and Co. are seen as favourites to win Wednesday’s clash as well. As Lionel Scaloni has a full squad to choose from, home win should definitely be considered. Julian Alvarez should replace Lautaro Martinez in the starting XI as the Inter striker failed to impress against Ecuador.
Canada, on the other hand, set up a meeting with Argentina by beating Venezuela on penalties. Defender Derek Cornelius misses the Copa America semis through suspension, while forward Tajon Buchanan is sidelined with injury. Anyhow, we are tempted to put our money on Argentina, who are eager to defend their Copa America title. As always, a man to watch in the away team will be pacey Bayern Munich wing-back Alphonso Davies.
Highlighted Player (Lionel Messi):
Lionel Messi is regarded as one of the best players in the history of football. He was born on 24 June, 1987 in Rosario and he began his football career at Newell’s Old Boys. At age 10 he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, but having realized his potential at a young age, Barcelona decided to pay for his treatment.
Messi joined Barca in 2001 and he has been playing for the Camp Nou outfit ever since. The Argentine magician has won eight La Liga trophies with Barca and he helped the Catalan giants lift no less than four Champions League titles (2005/2006, 2008/2009, 2010/2011, 2014/2015).
In the 2011/2012 La Liga campaign Messi scored 50 goals for Barca, while netting 14 goals in the 2011/2012 Champions League campaign. The five-time Golden Ball award winner has established himself as Barcelona’s all-time top scorer, but he has yet to win a trophy with Argentina national team at major tournaments. Leo Messi, though, has won Olympic Gold Medal (2008) and FIFA World Youth Championship (2005), with la Albiceleste.
Highlighted Team (Canada):
Canada national football team played their first official match back in 1924 when they suffered a 3-2 loss to Australia in Brisbane. The following year the two teams faced each other one in Adelaide, with the Canadians managing to get their revenge on the Socceroos. The Canucks had several unsuccessful attempts to make it to the World Cup finals, but in 1986 they finally booked their place at the showpiece tournament.
Canada faced France in their opener, with Jean-Pierre Papin scoring the winner for les Tricolores in the dying minutes of the match. The Canadians were beaten by Hungary and USSR in the next two group games as well and, as a result, they failed to advance to the knockout stages.
Speaking of the team’s trophies, the Canucks won the CONCACAF Gold cup on two occasions (1985, 2000), with the team beating Honduras and Colombia respectively in the title games. Canada national football team play their home games at BMO Field and the capacity of the venue is 30,000.