Lionel Messi’s superb passing helped Argentina start their defense of the Copa America title with a win against Canada, despite challenges with the playing surface at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Messi set up Julián Álvarez’s goal in the 49th minute and assisted Lautaro Martínez’s goal in the 88th minute, securing a 2-0 victory on Thursday night.
“It’s been a while since we’ve played like this,” Messi said. “We were patient, kept possession of the ball, and struggled to find good spaces.”
Argentina, aiming for their third consecutive major title after winning the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup, was held scoreless in the first half but outshot Canada 12-3 in the second.
Both Albiceleste coach Lionel Scaloni and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez criticized the grass surface at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, one of the venues for the 2026 World Cup.
“The field was terrible,” Martínez said. “It felt like the ball was bouncing all over. They need to improve it. Otherwise, Copa America will always be considered lower level compared to the Euro.” Grass was installed after a Major League Soccer game played on the usual artificial turf last Saturday.
“We’re thankful we won. Otherwise, it would have been an easy excuse,” Scaloni said. “They knew seven months ago that we would be playing here and they changed the surface a few days ago. It’s not an excuse, but the field wasn’t good. Honestly, it wasn’t suitable for these players.”
Canadian defender Kamal Miller also criticized the field conditions. “It felt like walking on a stage as if it was hollow,” he said.
The match drew a crowd of 70,564, kicking off the 32-game tournament. The United States will play Panama at the same stadium on June 27.
With South America’s championship relocated to the U.S. for the second time, Messi set a new Copa America record by playing his 35th match, surpassing Chile’s Sergio Livingstone who held the previous record from 1941 to 1953. Messi also extended his own record with his 18th assist.
Messi, who turns 37 on Monday, played a key role in creating the first goal by heading a pass through the defense for Alexis Mac Allister following a throw-in.
Mac Allister then passed to Álvarez, who scored into an empty net from close range after colliding with goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau about 8 yards out—this marked Álvarez’s eighth goal in 32 international appearances.
Messi continued his record-breaking performance in the Copa America by threading a perfectly timed pass to Martínez, who came on in the 76th minute and scored his 25th international goal past Crépeau.
“In the first half, we defended well and had a few chances, but at this level, you need to convert your opportunities,” said new Canada captain Alphonso Davies. “If you make mistakes, they punish you, and that’s what happened today.”
Despite several good chances, Messi missed two excellent opportunities. Crépeau made a diving save in the 65th minute, and Messi’s rebound attempt was blocked by defender Derek Cornelius’s head. Messi also sent a chip wide after a one-on-one with Crépeau in the 79th minute.
Messi was briefly shaken by a tackle from defender Moïse Bombito in the 82nd minute but continued playing. “It was a physically demanding match,” Messi commented.
Argentina will face Chile next on Tuesday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and conclude the group stage against Peru on June 29 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Canada will play Peru on Tuesday in Kansas City, Kansas, and wrap up their group stage against Chile on June 29 in Orlando, Florida.
Fourteen stadiums across the U.S. are hosting the tournament, which will continue until July 14, culminating in Miami Gardens, Florida. Six teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean joined the 10 South American teams, just like in the centennial Copa America in 2016.
Despite slow starts in previous tournaments, Argentina managed to win. They began the 2022 World Cup with a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia and the 2021 Copa America with a 1-1 draw against Chile.
Canada made its Copa America debut under new American coach Jesse Marsch, who started coaching on May 13. They have not scored in three games under Marsch.
“Before these three matches, I told the team that regardless of the outcomes, we need to come out stronger, develop, gain confidence, and believe more,” Marsch said. “Despite the disappointment of letting this game slip away, I think we are in a better position now.”
Argentina started eight players from the 2022 World Cup final victory over France, making changes like bringing in Lisandro Martínez, Marcos Acuña, and Leandro Paredes for Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico, and Enzo Fernández.
Emiliano Martínez made a crucial save in the 43rd minute, using his left hand to deflect a header from Stephen Eustáquio. After the match, Davies swapped jerseys with Messi. “Being on the field, playing against him was truly a special experience,” Davies said.
