Canada, ranked 48th in world football, brought intensity and physicality to their match against Argentina, but ultimately, it was the Argentinians’ quality that prevailed.
With goals from Julian Alvarez and the legendary Lionel Messi, Argentina secured their spot in the final of the Copa America, adding to their recent triumphs at the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 Copa America.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni expressed the challenges of reaching consecutive finals: “It is extremely tough to reach another final. We know the difficulty of this achievement, and the bar has been set very high.”
He also acknowledged the strength of their Canadian opponents: “Everyone expected an easy victory, but Canada proved today that they are a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.”
This Copa America holds special significance for many veteran Argentinian players, including Angel di Maria, who announced his plans to retire from international football following the tournament. At 36, Di Maria, along with 37-year-old Messi and 36-year-old Nicolas Otamendi, are nearing the end of their illustrious careers.
Scaloni shared his thoughts on Di Maria’s potential retirement: “We want Angel to enjoy his football and this moment. We don’t want to rush his retirement, and we’ll see if we can convince him to stay with the national team a little longer.”
Regarding Messi, Scaloni stated: “Leo can be a part of this team for as long as he wants. Even if he decides to retire, we would love for him to still be involved with the squad.”
Argentina will face either Uruguay or Colombia in the final. Both potential opponents present significant challenges, with Uruguay defeating Argentina in a recent World Cup qualifier, and Colombia boasting an impressive 27-match unbeaten streak under coach Nestor Lorenzo.
When asked about his preference for the final, Scaloni replied: “Both teams are top-notch, and it would be reckless to favor one over the other. We have a history with Uruguay, and our match was extremely challenging. We haven’t faced Colombia with their new coach, but we anticipate a tough contest.”
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