2024 Copa America: Lionel Messi in awe as Argentina qualify to final

Lionel Messi said he was left in awe after Argentina and some of its remaining “old guard” defeated Canada 2-0 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to qualify for the 2024 Copa América final.

Messi scored his first goal at this year’s Copa and the 14th of his career in the second half to double the lead Julián Álvarez staked Argentina to with his first-half strike.

“What this team has done, what the Argentina national team has done, because after this everyone gives more importance to all the finals that me and the ‘older guys’ have played,” Messi said after the match. “Me, Fide [Ángel Di María], Ota [Nicolás Otamendi] and that Argentina can play another final is amazing.

“To be honest, it has been a difficult tournament, the level has been as equal as ever, very bad surfaces, high temperatures that make it hard to play, very tough rivals. So, the fact we made it and we are here again playing a final is something to enjoy and highlight.”

La Albiceleste returns to the final game of the tournament for the second consecutive time, after featuring in the 2021 edition, and stands on the brink of winning the country’s 16th Copa América title — which would pull them ahead of Uruguay for the most all time.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni expressed excitement over reaching this point of the competition, before warning of the difficulties that lie ahead for his squad.

Argentina topped Group A by beating Canada, Chile and Peru, before going on to beat Ecuador in a shootout to reach the semifinal. Messi & Co. then dispatched Canada in the semifinal by the same scoreline as it did in group play at 2-0.

Now, Argentina prepares to face either Uruguay or Colombia in what could be the final game for Di María and Messi.