Lionel Messi scores first tournament goal as La Albiceleste advance to Copa America finals in search of title repeat.

Messi's second-half strike was the dagger Argentina needed to advance to the Copa America finals.

His goal for Argentina today was a defining moment for him as he has now scored 109 international goals, breaking ties with Iran's Ali Daei, and becoming the second highest goal scorer in international football, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 130.


Lionel Messi broke his Copa America goal drought and Julian Alvarez also found the back of the net as Argentina coasted into Sunday's tournament final with an relentless 2-0 win over Canada at MetLife Stadium Tuesday night.

The holders turned in an experienced performance against Jesse Marsch's surprise semi-finalists, taking their chances and limiting their opponents to just one shot on target.

Messi had La Albiceleste's first chance of the game, firing narrowly wide of the post from outside the box. Alvarez gave Argentina the lead after 23 minutes, running onto Rodrigo de Paul's pass before finishing past the keeper. Messi should have made it two shortly before half time, but skewed an effort wide after weaving between two Canada defenders.

He made no such mistake after the break, deflecting Enzo Fernandez's driven strike into the net from close range to double their lead in the 51st minute. Canada, for their part, had chances in the second half, piecing together a number of dangerous attacks. But they lost steam when Alphonso Davies exited the game with an apparent ankle injury with 20 minutes to spare.

From there, La Albiceleste made it look relatively easy. They still threatened on the break, and kept Canada at arm's length, coasting their way to third straight major tournament final.

Messi achieved another milestone as he guides Argentina to an individual record of seven major finals in football tournament:
Copa America 2007
World Cup 2014
Copa America 2015
Copa America 2016
Copa America 2021
World cup 2022
Copa America 2024

Source
https://sportwins.com.ng/messi-scores-as-argentina-advances-to-the-final

GOAT thing! Not that Forest man ridding donkeys in the other part of the world without a knockout stage goal.

Peacecore:
GOAT thing! Not that Forest man ridding donkeys in the other part of the world without a knockout stage goal.

Guy you won't believe the desert fraud unfollowed Joao Felix on Instagram?

Damian911:
Guy you won't believe the desert fraud unfollowed Joao Felix on Instagram?

Are you serious? What did Felix did to him this time? Maybe he chose the right goat over asun as other ppl have done b4

Easy win for messi. Cokgrats.

Peacecore:
Are you serious? What did Felix did to him this time? Maybe he chose the right goat over asun as other ppl have done b4

He unfollowed Joao Felix simply because he missed his penalty in the shootout!

Damian911:

He unfollowed Joao Felix simply because he missed his penalty in the shootout!

Wahala