The National Team put on a good show despite the poor condition of the playing field and justified a hard-fought victory against Canada, which will surely give battle in Group A of the Copa América. With goals from Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez, Lionel Scaloni’s team added its first three points and erased a bad streak due to frustrated debuts in previous competitions (it had not been able to win in the two previous Copa América or the World Cup in Qatar). The highlights of the Albiceleste were Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi, who was key in both conquests although he could not convert. Cuti, with his brilliant performance, showed that he is among the best center backs in the world.
ARGENTINA’S REPORT BULLETIN AGAINST CANADA
Emiliano Martínez (8): Key, as usual. He provided security at the right moments, such as Eustáquio’s point-blank header inside the six-yard box at the end of the first half. Firm throughout the entire match, he even dared to set up Messi with a long serve with which he left him one-on-one (then the 10th squandered the chance twice). Warranty.
Nahuel Molina (5): He sought to be deep on the right wing without neglecting his back due to the possible advances of the dangerous Alphonso Davies. He was not as sharp as on other occasions and in addition, the Canadian 19 was leaked several times in his area. Away from the roof of him. He left at the close for Montiel.
Cristian Romero (9): A beast in the Argentine defense. It is impassable from below and above. He cuts, plays and comes out clean every time. Without a doubt one of the figures of the National Team for a long time. In the second half he starred in a double takeout with a dispute in the rival field that raised the crowd and also covered a loss in the departure of Lisandro Martínez that could have been Canada’s tie.
Lisandro Martínez (5): With ups and downs throughout the entire game. At times he showed firmness and even came out playing, but on other occasions he was late to some balls and even took too many risks. He was very close to committing a penalty to the unbalanced Jacob Shaffelburg. With five deep, he finished as libero, rounding off an acceptable job.
Marcos Acuña (6): Tireless on the left flank, he provided alternatives and was Messi’s offloader on several occasions in the first half. He even came close to converting or assisting. His only sin was making a childish foul on the edge of the area that could have meant danger for his own goal. In the second half he dedicated himself more to defending than attacking. He replaced Tagliafico in the end.
Rodrigo De Paul (8): The best of the first half, in which he did almost everything well. He ran, he was the one who played the most and he even tried a couple of passes that could break the score (for example for a header from Alexis). He was cautioned in the 60th minute for touching the ball with his hand when Alphonso Davies rose. He completed the entire match at high intensity.
Leandro Paredes (5): He didn’t gravitate too much in the middle of the field. He started off with a shot from mid-range that didn’t go far. He then committed a couple of reckless infractions. He sought to be balanced, but he did not add much in attack and he was not one of those who recovered the most. Replaced by Otamendi.
Alexis Mac Allister (7): From smallest to largest. He woke up at the end of the first half and almost scored 1-0 with a surprise header. Key to Julián’s goal to break between the lines and let him have the ball. The good news is that he was not at his highest level and his ceiling is still far away.
Lionel Messi (9): Like wine, the older the better. Four days after turning 37, the captain did not care about his age and became unbalanced as in his best times (that is, almost his entire career). In the first half he was not entirely accurate, although he still participated in almost all the attacks. He failed to capitalize on the rebound from Di María’s one-on-one, he hit Acuña with a barbaric ball and failed to hit the goal from mid-distance. In the complement, he revealed himself. Pinpoint pass to Alexis at 1-0 and a surgeon’s assist for Lautaro in the second. Before, he had also recovered a ball with which El Toro came face to face with the rival goalkeeper. On the dead ball he almost scored more assists: two to Nico Otamendi. Auspicious debut for the albiceleste number 10 despite squandering two clear chances (in one he took it between the goalkeeper and the defender; in the other he impaled it wide).
Ángel Di María (6): It went from oldest to youngest. He was key in Argentina’s harmony and push in the first 15 ‘and he had the clearest shot after stealing in his own half and running without opposition until he was one-on-one with goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, who saved him well and blocked the first one. He was losing precision as the minutes passed, although his hierarchy made Canada worry at all times. Replaced by Gio Lo Celso at minute 67.
Julián Álvarez (7): Tireless as usual, he stifled rivals with pressure and got tired of throwing diagonals. Although he did not come into play too much, he had a clear chance in the first half due to Messi’s authorization in which he was uncomfortable defining and with a closed angle (he botched). In the second, he got it right after Mac Allister’s clearance that broke zero. He immediately almost nailed the second with a half turn and finished off with a rebound that favored him. He left his place to Lautaro Martínez.
Giovani Lo Celso (6): Replaced Di María. He participated in the second goal prior to Messi’s clearance for Lautaro. His fine left foot always provides options in attack. Booked at the end for a kick to Davies.
Nicolás Otamendi (6): He entered with 15′ left through Paredes to set up the line of five. He transmitted firmness down low and also won a couple of times in the rival area with two set pieces executed by Messi. He lacked precision to hurt (in his first header he was ahead).
Lautaro Martínez (7): He came on for Julián Álvarez with a quarter of an hour left. He wasted a one-on-one after Messi’s steal on offense, but he quickly redeemed himself. On the 10th he enabled it again and in that case the Bull it did not fail.
Gonzalo Montiel (-): He came on in the 88th minute for Molina.
Nicolás Tagliafico (-): He entered through Acuña, also at 88′. His attack almost led to the third goal in stoppage time.
Lionel Scaloni (7): Correct with the initial approach, he knew how to correct in the complement when Canada became threatening in attack with the entry of Nicolás Otamendi to create a line of five. He thus controlled the game in the epilogue and was even able to make a greater difference. A fair victory for his team.
