Argentina vs Canada, Copa America 2024 Highlights: ARG 2-0 CAN; Lautaro, Alvarez score, Messi assists

Goals from Julan Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez secure a comfortable win for defending champion Argentina, with the side starting the tournament with a 2-0 victory. 

Lionel Messi’s through ball is brilliantly picked up by Lautaro Martinez, who makes no mistake to bury the ball into the net with a right-footed hit.

Messi takes the free-kick and instead of going for goal, e tries to set up Otamendi, whose shot is off-target.

McAllister goes down after a rash challenge in front of the box and Argentina gets a free-kick. Chance for Messi to fly in a curler?

Canadian players appeal for a penalty after Lisandro Martinez fouls Jacob Shaffelburg just inside the box. The referee is consulting with the VAR. 

VAR does check the incident but nothing is given, presumably because the foul occurred just outside the box.

A loose ball in the Argentina box nearly gives Canada an opportunity to equalize before Martinez is able to corral it just in the nick of time. Messi goes through on goal but is denied by Crepeau. He toys with the defence but the ball still refuses to go to the back of the net. 

Canada gets a corner. 

Argentina’s De Paul becomes the first player to get into the referee’s book today. He stops a ball with his hand is shown the yellow. 

Messi bursts into the Canada box and appears to have a great opportunity to double Argentina’s lead, but Johnston makes a great play to track back and poke the ball away from him.

Argentina is searching for the second after tasting blood. Di Maria’s shot goes wide. The world champions have started the second half in style after being frustrated by the resolute Canadian display in the first 45 minutes. 

After an entertaining first 45 minutes, the action resumes in Atlanta as Lionel Messi an Co. crank up the intensity in search for a goal. However Canada is standing firm in the way. Alvarez breaks the deadlock. Messi creates it with a brilliant through ball to Mac Allister, who passes it to Alvarez before being taken out by the Canadian goalkeeper and the Man City striker slots home with a powerful low-drive. 

The second half of Argentina vs Canada Copa America Group A match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium starts. It has been an enjoyable first 45 minutes in the Copa America 2024 opener with both teams going at each other. The second half promises to produces more electrifying football. 

One minute added on after the end of the regulation time of the first half. Alvarez fails to take advantage after receiving the ball in a promising position on the left-flank. The first half comes to an end, 45 minutes have flown fast. It has been an entertaining start to the Copa America 2024.

Stephen Eustaquio’s header is saved by Emi Martinez. Canada comes close to take the lead after a brisk attack from the right-flank. This Canadian team is putting up a spirited fight against the defending champions. 

Messi is now dropping deep to collect the ball in front of Argentina’s center backs to lead the build-up. It is a sign that Jesse March’s Canadian team has managed to frustrate the world champions. 

After a slow-ish start, we’re finally seeing Alphonso Davies get more and more involved and use his pace to drive towards goal. However, its Argentina, which is dominating the proceedings. Crepeau becomes sweeper-keeper and saves Canada from going 0-1 down. 

Argentina gets its first corner of the match. Acuna’s cross is blocked by Buchanan. Mac Allister takes a short corner as Argentina tries to pull off something from the training ground but the attack fizzled out. It gets the ball back and Di Maria’s attempted cut-back is also blocked. Argentina gets another corner. 

David is creating chances from the left-flank for Canada. The Argentine defence looks clueless on how to defend against the Lille forward. He’s deemed off-side but these are warning signs for the world champions. He’s getting into good positions too easily. 

Buchanan gets a golden chance but shoots wide of the goal. David is causing all sorts of problem to the Canadian backline with his pace. He cut-back from the left-flank finds its way to Buchanan but he fails to find his balance after a decent first touch. 

Canada is committing men forward and inviting Argentina to counter with pace. Di Maria fizzes a ball across the ball but there was no one to tap that in. Acuna fouls David and gets away without a booking. The Argentine left-back has to be careful now. 

Alphonso Davies’ free-kick was blocked by the Argentine wall, Miller takes another shot, which hits De Paul on the midriff and goes away for a corner. Canada fails to make the most of the set-piece. 

De Paul’s challenge on Jonathan David near the half way line was deemed as a foul by the referee. Acuna commits a foul near the Argentine box. A chance for Canada to test Emi MArtinez. 

Messi’s shot is blocked by Cornelius. Argentina has built momentum and are constantly testing the Canadian defence. Di Maria, Perades and Messi combines to mount yet another attack. Di Maria drives from the left flank and threads a clever ball to Messi, whose shot is blocked but the fag was raised. This is the second time Messi was caught off-side. 

After weathering an early storm from the newcomers, Argentina has grown into the game and now are leading the attacking charts. Messi’s attack was a warning light for Canadian team.

Messi gets a through ball on the left-flank from Paredes and takes a shot which goes agonisingly wide of the far post. However, the linesman raises his flag, the eight-time Ballon d’Or-winner was off-side. 

Canada gets the first corner of the match, however, Argentine mounts a counter-attack from the resulting set-piece. Canadian goalkeeper Crepeau makes an important save to deny Di Maria from giving an early advantage to the defending champions. Messi gets the ball and dances past two defenders but Cornelius stops him from taking a shot. 

Argentine left-back, Acuna dribbles past two Canadian players, he gets good support from Di Maria. The ball falls to Paredes, who unleashes a right footed curler from 30 yards which flies over the bar. 

Canada has started the match with intensity and wanted to catch the World Champions off guard, however, the Argentine defence was alert and prevented Canada from taking any advantage in the final third. 

The opening match of the Copa America 2024 between defending champion Argentina and newcomer Canada is finally under way at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Sportstar brings you all the LIVE action from Atlanta, United States - Stay Tuned. 

Both teams are in the tunnel and ready to come on the pitch for the Copa America 2024 opener. Alphonos Davies leads Canada, while Lionel Messi steers Argentina. The players are on the pitch lining up for the national anthems. 

The opening ceremony for the Copa America 2024 begins in Atlanta. It promises to be a sweet, short and colourful celebration of the Latin life. 

Argentina great Sergio Aguero carries the Copa America trophy and places at the centre of the pitch. 

We are moments away from the start of the 48th edition of the Copa America. The players of both sides are currently warming up on the pitch in Atlanta. Stay tuned for live updates from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies; Kone, Eustaquino, Buchanan Miller; David, Larin

D. Martinez; Molina, Romero, L. Martinez, Acuna; De Paul, Paredes, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Alvarez, Messi

Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s live blog of the Copa America 2024 opener between Argentina and Canada played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

This match in Atlanta, United States will kick start the 48th edition of the South American Championships.