Image via @CopaAmerica on X

Argentina took its ticket to Miami after a comfortable win over Canada. The match looked more even after the first 20 minutes. Still, just a moment of inspiration by De Paul to find Alvarez attacking the space was enough to open the score, take control of the game, and show a better version of the Albiceleste that ending won the game.

Goalscorers: 

Argentina: Lisandro Martínez 35′

Ecuador: Kevin Rodriguez 90+1′

Argentina was ready for another tight battle against a Canadian side that consistently implemented the same game plan—a mid-block with a high line to leave little space for Argentina to play. They allowed the center-backs to play from the back but began to put pressure on the midfield, trying to get the ball and counterattack.

The game plan was working at first, and they had some decent chances to score, but they were a little erratic. The first touch, decision-making, and natural talent were much inferior compared to Argentina, and every approach had an underwhelming end for Canada.

Cuti and Licha were excellent in those first minutes to calm the situation; they are natural winners and always looked confident. The Argentine looked more relaxed and in better shape than the Ecuador’s game.
They slowly began to connect and find themselves on the pitch, but it was a still and even match.

Everything changed when Rodrigo de Paul made a through ball to Alvarez, and the striker from City completed a magnificent move to take off Bombito and score the night’s first goal. Argentina lost the midfield battle against Ecuador and was a mess in that game. However, yesterday, they performed magnificently to control the game. The difference between De Paul and Enzo having a great game when they don’t is day and night.
De Paul was massive, not only in the defensive duties but also in attack. He is not the typical catchy and fancy player in possession, but the energy he brings to the team is irreplaceable.

With Enzo, who was able to connect with the midfield now, Mac Allister helping to hide the ball, and Di Maria wide open and a constant threat in the transaction, this Argentina was different and scary.

Of course, a better version of Leo Messi also appears, and life is easier when you touch the ball many times and can produce something.
There was a shift from Argentina’s individual brilliance winning the match to them outplaying Canada as a team for the rest of the game.
When they are in possession and can make large sequences of passes, it feels challenging to counter them and find solutions. After Álvarez’s goal, it thought it was over for Canada.
That was certainly the case. While Jesse Marsch tried to change something by using Tani Oluwaseyi as the higher player on the pitch and attacking more in the middle rather than the flanks, Argentina’s dominance was too much.

It was a quieter game for Shaffelburg and Davie, who faced an aged Di Maria, and Montiel, who struggled alone, but De Paul was there to help and take off one of Canada’s most dangerous zones. Considering how Nicolás Tagliafico took all the left side for himself, it can be expected a bit more from Richie Laryea who was a little shy running.

Canada is a great team and, indeed, the tournament’s revelation. They have played exclusively Commebol teams and know how to compete against far superior sides for the next World Cup. But they were against, maybe, the best team in the world right now. And it shows.
Argentina is just 90 minutes away, maybe more, to win back-to-back Copa Americas, with a World Cup in the middle.
They haven’t been that team since the previous tournament that has played some fantastic football, but they know what it is to win, and they are winning. In the last ten years, they have reached two World Cup Finals and four Copa America Finals, a testament to spirit and competitiveness.
Now, they are waiting for a rival between Colombia and Uruguay, probably the most challenging team they will face in the competition.