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Lionel
Messi
and
Argentina
are
one
step
closer
to
Copa
America
glory
after
defeating
Canada
2-0
in
the
semi-final.
The
37-year-old
Messi
wasn’t
Argentina’s
sole
hero,
but
his
contribution
was
undeniable.
In
the
second
half,
he
deflected
a
shot
from
Enzo
Fernandez,
putting
the
ball
past
the
Canadian
goalkeeper
and
effectively
sealing
the
win.
Manchester
City’s
Julian
Alvarez
opened
the
scoring
for
Argentina
in
the
first
half,
converting
a
close-range
opportunity
after
a
pass
from
Rodrigo
de
Paul.
This
victory
marks
Argentina’s
sixth
Copa
America
final
appearance
in
the
last
eight
tournaments.
Their
opponent
will
be
determined
by
the
outcome
of
the
Uruguay
vs.
Colombia
match.
The
win
is
tinged
with
bittersweet
emotions
as
this
might
be
the
final
international
appearance
for
Angel
di
Maria,
who
announced
his
retirement.
There
are
also
questions
about
Messi’s
future
with
the
national
team.
While
acknowledging
the
veterans’
potential
retirement,
both
Messi
and
Argentina’s
coach,
Lionel
Scaloni,
expressed
a
desire
to
continue.
Scaloni
has
pledged
to
convince
Messi
to
stay
on,
while
Messi
himself
highlighted
his
enjoyment
of
playing
for
Argentina.
Canada,
despite
the
loss,
impressed
in
their
Copa
America
debut.
They
had
early
chances
through
Jacob
Shaffelburg
but
were
ultimately
overwhelmed
by
Argentina’s
dominance
after
Alvarez’s
goal.
Canada
will
now
vie
for
third
place
against
the
loser
of
the
other
semi-final.