The Canada national team lost 2-0 to Argentina and Lionel Messi at the semi-final stage of their first-ever Copa America campaign.
In contrast to what many were expecting leading up to the match, Canada looked the better side through a few counter-attacks in the opening stages. Nashville SC winger Jacob Shaffelburg got the better of Gonzalo Montiel a couple of times but fired his shot way over the bar to ease the stress levels of Argentina fans around the world.
22 minutes in, the reigning champions found the opener through Julian Alvarez. Rodrigo De Paul played Julian Alvarez through on goal and the Manchester City forward finished with ease past Maxime Crepeau to put La Albiceleste up 1-0.
Argentina then doubled their lead minutes into the second half after Enzo Fernandez’s strike from the top of the penalty area deflected off the legendary Lionel Messi and trickled into Crepau’s goal. A VAR check showed that Derek Cornelius was playing Messi onside as the South American nation inched closer to a spot in the Copa America final.
The reigning FIFA World Cup champions would go on to hold on to their 2-0 advantage for the remainder of the match to seal safe passage to the final, where they’ll take the winner of Colombia vs. Uruguay. Canada weren’t necessarily bad, it just so happened that their Copa America campaign crossed paths with the best national team on the planet.
Argentina will more than likely be in a physical battle regardless of who they face off against in the final but will fancy their chances of repeating as Copa America champions.
On the other hand, Canada fans have plenty to be excited about with their talented crop of players that need more time together under new head coach Jesse Marsch. The team created a handful of genuine scoring opportunities early on but were unable to really test Emiliano ‘Emi’ Martinez, and the CONCACAF nation will look to improve in the final third in time for a potential deep run in the 2026 World Cup.
GK: Maxime Crepeau – 6/10 – Maybe could’ve done better on the opening goal, but his defense let him down bit time there. Not much else he could’ve done on Messi’s deflected goal.
RB: Alistair Johnston – 6/10 – It may have been a tactical tweak from Marsch, but at times Johnston and Laryea essentially switched when defending — which was interesting to see but it appeared to leave Canada a little confused in defense, too.
CB: Moise Bombito – 6/10 – He’s been stellar thus far in the competition but wasn’t unable to shake Alvarez off the ball for the opening strike.
CB: Derek Cornelius – 6/10 – Was unfortunate to find himself in an offside position on Argentina’s second goal as he was trying to cut out the cutback pass earlier. Cornelius did get dragged out of position prior to the goal, though, which brought pressure onto the Canada backline.
LB: Alphonso Davies – 6/10 – Got forward on a few occasions with his blistering pace to aid the attack. However, his decision making in the final third wasn’t the best.
RM: Richie Laryea – 6/10 – Gave Tagliafico problems down the right-hand side during the early goings before faltering as the game went on.
CM: Ismael Kone – 7/10 – Kone continues to improve with each passing game and did his part to give Canada a fighting chance as a semi-final spot.
CM: Stephen Eustaquio – 6/10 – The FC Porto midfielder enjoyed a few solid moments in possession by weaving in and out of tight spaces to progress the ball up the pitch. However, it wasn’t enough to lead Canada to victory.
LM: Jacob Shaffelburg – 7/10 – Canada’s most impressive player in the first half found himself in a few strong positions but was unable to keep his shot down. Couldn’t keep up his intensity in the second 45 and was hooked 10 minutes after the restart.
ST: Cyle Larin – 7/10 – Displayed solid hold-up play and managed to link play together in the opening stages. Faded as the match wore on, though.
ST: Jonathan David – 5/10 – Practically invisible through the first 45 and didn’t show much in the second half as his touch let him down on multiple occasions.
Substitutes
SUB: Ali Ahmed (55′ for Laryea) – 6/10 – Tried to make things happen down the right-hand side but it wasn’t clicking.
SUB: Liam Millar (55′ for Shaffelburg) – 6/10 – Couldn’t provide the spark that Canada needed in the wide areas.
SUB: Tani Oluwaseyi (64′ for David) – 6/10 – Didn’t really bring a presence up front alongside Larin.
SUB: Jonathan Osorio (71′ for Davies) – 6/10 – A couple of nice moments on the ball but didn’t help progress play.
SUB: Mathieu Choiniere (71′ for Eustaquio) – N/A
Manager
Jesse Marsch – 7/10 – Managed the game well given the difference in talent between the two sides. Canada were set up for success early on but they just couldn’t put it all together right in front of goal which isn’t Marsch’s fault as he picked David and Larin to lead the line. It’ll be interesting to see how Canada get on under Marsch in the upcoming Gold Cup and Nations League competitions leading up to the 2026 World Cup.
