Argentina vs Canada

MetLife Stadium sets the stage for a ‘David vs Goliath’ 2024 Copa America showdown between Argentina and Canada.

Following a faultless Group A campaign where they won all three matches by an aggregate score of 5-0, Argentina needed penalties to squeak past Ecuador in the quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw in regulation. Lisandro Martinez’s opener in that fiercely contested fixture marked Argentina’s maiden first-half goal in this summer’s competition, with three of their five remaining strikes coming beyond the 85th minute. Despite their unconvincing showings, Lionel Scaloni’s men head into proceedings on a ten-game winning streak in the Copa America proper, bidding to reach a third consecutive final of a major tournament. The upcoming clash against Canada could be another day in the office for Lionel Messi & Co, considering they’ve won both previous encounters between the teams by a 7-0 combined score.

Canada’s dismal H2H record against Argentina hindered the start of their first-ever Copa America appearance, with Jesse Marsch’s side succumbing to a 2-0 loss on the opening day. However, the Canucks have since gone unbeaten in three games straight (W1, D2 – 90 minutes only) to get the farthest of all six CONCACAF teams invited to the tournament. Potentially one win away from reaching their first major final outside the Gold Cup, the Canadians head into this clash buoyed by a shootout win against Venezuela in the quarter-finals. Salomon Rondon’s equalizer in that contest remains the only goal Marsch’s men have conceded in three Copa America games after losing to Argentina on day one. With no extra time in case of a draw in regulation, another resilient defensive performance could help Canada upset the odds in East Rutherford.