Lionel Scaloni is aiming to guide Argentina to more success. Argentina has won eight of their last 24 matches by a 2-0 scoreline. Canada have failed
Lionel Scaloni is aiming to guide Argentina to more success. Argentina has won eight of their last 24 matches by a 2-0 scoreline. Canada have failed to score in four of their last six fixtures
Argentina has been victorious in six of their last seven Copa America semi-finals and they will be anticipating in putting their wealth of experience to good use when taking on tournament debutants Canada at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Wednesday.
Lionel Scaloni’s Albiceleste were among the pre-tournament favorites and they remain unbeaten despite requiring a penalty shootout to see off Ecuador in Friday’s quarter-final in Houston.
Canada started off their challenge with a 2-0 group stage loss to Argentina but they have responded impressively.
The Canadians climbed to second in Group A by beating Peru (1-0) and drawing with Chile (0-0) and they showed a steely nerve in their quarter-final penalty shootout against Venezuela, winning 4-3 on spot kicks having drawn the match 1-1.
Team news
Argentina lucky charm Lionel Messi recovered from a sore hamstring to start and finish the penalty shootout success over Ecuador and is expected to keep his place in the team.
Angel Di Maria featured in all three group stage matches but was an unused substitute against Ecuador and faces a battle to get back into the starting eleven.
Tajon Buchanan (broken leg) missed Canada’s quarter-final against Venezuela and has undergone surgery.
Ismael Kone came off the bench to score the winning penalty in the shootout but he may have to be content with a place among the substitutes.
The stats
Argentina have won 16 of their last 18 fixtures.
The Albiceleste have won eight of their last 24 matches by a 2-0 scoreline.
Argentina have lost only one of their last 24 fixtures.
Canada have failed to score in four of their last six matches.
Each of Canada’s last five games have featured less than three goals.
Prediction
Jesse Marsch has guided Canada to an impressive maiden Copa America campaign
Argentina began their 2024 Copa America campaign with a 2-0 victory over Canada and they look too expensive to prevail by the same scoreline when facing the Canucks in a semi-final clash at MetLife Stadium.
The fixture offers Canada a swift opportunity for revenge and they have responded impressively to their early tournament setback.
Jesse Marsch’s side did well to finish second in an ultra-competitive Group A and they showed a steely nerve from the penalty spot to see off Venezuela in Saturday’s quarter-final.
However, they were well beaten by Argentina two-and-a-half weeks ago, losing the shot count 19 to 10, and may struggle to fare any better without injured Inter attacker Buchanan, who has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament.