Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez score for Argentina in Copa America opener vs. Canada

By
Roy Nemer
-
24

Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez both scored for Argentina in their 2-0 win vs. Canada in the first match of the Copa America.

Lionel Scaloni’s team won their opening match at the Copa America in a match which saw Argentina have much of the ball.

The first chance of the game fell to Angel Di Maria. He would block a pass inside his own half and would start a run clear on goal but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper.

Argentina would see much of the ball and try to get behind the Canadian back line but was unable to score. Canada would have an effort on goal but their header was saved by Emiliano Martínez.

The first half would end without a goal but the second half saw more chances from both sides. Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni did not make any changes to start the second half.

Lionel Messi would receive the ball very early in the second half and he would play a through ball in to Alexis Mac Allister who would get a touch on it and it would fall to Julián Álvarez who would score to give Argentina the 1-0 lead.

Julián Álvarez started his first match for Argentina at a Copa America and that was his first Copa America goal.

Scaloni would bring in Gio Lo Celso for Ángel Di María to change things around for Argentina who was seeing more Canadian attacks. Nicolás Otamendi was substituted in for Leandro Paredes and Lautaro Martínez on for Julián Álvarez.

Messi had a big opportunity as he dribbled the goalkeeper but his effort was blocked by the defender. Lautaro Martínez had a chance on goal minutes later but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper.

Both teams were creating chances but it was Lionel Messi playing a through ball to Lautaro Martínez and Martínez would roll the ball into the back of the goal to give Argentina the 2-0 lead. Both of Argentina’s forwards scored in the same match.

Nicolás Tagliafico was on for Marcos Acuña and Gonzalo Montiel was brought on for Nahuel Molina.

Argentina play Chile on Tuesday.

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24 Comments

  1. What a great start. If the clear opportunities had been taken advantage of, the score should have been 6-0. Canada has virtually no clear chance. I expect Argentina to win all remaining matches this way.

  2. First game with shakier defending as usual but a lot of chances created (not sharp finishing enough)

    3,38 xG from Argentina would be the most in Euro 24 (2,50 the highest) and 9 big chances created as well. This was our easiest opponent imo. Chile and Peru is much more solid.

  5. I mentioned this a few times already, the turf had something to do with their play tonight. It’s basically a carpet of natural grass on top of cement and if you ever played football on a hard surface vs grass, there is a difference.
    Anyway, good win, hopefully no lingering injuries and it’s not like they played bad but uncomfortable.
    On to the next

    • Yes to play on this kind of surface is never easy and specially for ARG as they are basicly not used it at all and it gave an at least slight advantage to Canada who in my opinion played well and it is not an easy team at all. They have a good coach and growing team which allready showed some flashes in last WC, so I would not be surprised if they will beat Peru in their next game as if they do so I predict the Chile game be decisive for them….

      Anyhow as allready mentioned surface was a difficult one and this was also the opening game + there are no easy game’s in the COPA !

      I’m really happy ARG got the win as deservedly and by 2 goals + so happy for Julian & Toro as both ended scoring and with a bit more luck this game could had easily been 5 or 6 goal win fo ARG!

      DIBU was great once again as well as CUTI & LICHA and ACUNA did well until he got a bit tired, so all an all everyone contributed, though I have to say again, that ARG’s weakness lies now on the right side of the defense and somehow Molina is not back what he used to be as this I have allready seen in ATM’s game, though I thought he would do better when playing for ARG and I truly hope he will perform better in the coming matches….

      It was good decision, though maybe a bit late from Scaloni to change as or at least it looked like back 3 with wingbacks and would had loved to see Palacios coming in, but maybe Scaloni does not see him at least yet in his plans….

      Lo Celso brought kind of more stability and I quess Enzo is not fully ready yet….

      Any way as said before a win is all I care about and ARG certainly deserved to win, though off course there is always a lot to improve as, that is big part of football in general, but in terms of opening game and difficult opponent as well I’m more than satisfied wit ARG’s win ! VAMOS ARGENTINA!

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