EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Canada fell to 2-nil to Argentina in the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America semifinals on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Jacob Shaffelburg had a strike inside the box in the 7’ as Canada searched for the opening goal.

Jonathan David had was a threat in the box in the 17’ but was pressured by the Argentina defense. Alphonso Davies had a shot on the ensuing play but was blocked.

Julian Alvarez opened the scoring in the 22’ to place the reigning FIFA World Cup champions in the lead.

Lionel Messi extended the scoring in the 51’ with a strike inside the box.

Maxime Crepeau denied Julian Alvarez in the 61’ to keep the scoreline within two goals.

Liam Millar attempted from distance in the 87’ but was just off the mark.

Tani Oluwaseyi had a look towards goal in the 89’ but was denied by Emiliano Martinez.

Oluwaseyi had a header in the box in the 90’ but was just inches off the right post.

The result places Canada in the third-place match on Saturday against the loser of the Colombia-Uruguay semifinal. In its debut season, The Reds have assured at least a top four finish.

FACTS 

  • Canada lost 0-2 against Argentina in the semifinals of the Copa America on July 9 and now aims to win the third-place match, which has been won by Mexico (three times: 1997, 1999, 2007) and Honduras in 2001. If they lose the third-place game, they will match the United States, which finished in fourth place in 1995 and 2016.

  • Canada will be the 4th Concacaf team to play the third-place match in Copa America history and the 2nd team to do so in their tournament debut, after Honduras in 2001.

  • Canada has gone 3 consecutive matches in the Copa America without a win (2 draws, 1 loss), ending a streak of 2 consecutive draws. Canada became the 2nd Concacaf team to lose their 5th match in their Copa America debut, after Honduras in 2001 against Colombia (0-2). The only team to win their 5th game in their Copa America debut was Mexico in 1993 against Ecuador (0-2).

  • This is the 6th defeat in 8 semifinals for North American teams against CONMEBOL rivals in the Copa America (6 losses, 2 wins), with Mexico being the only team to achieve victory at this stage (1993 against Ecuador and 2001 against Uruguay).

  • Canada is the 2nd Concacaf team to lose in the Copa America semifinals facing the defending champion, after Mexico against Brazil (0-2) in 1999.
  • Maxime Crépeau of Canada, at 30 years, 1 month, and 28 days old, became the 2nd oldest goalkeeper to concede 2 goals in a Copa America semifinal match for Concacaf teams. He is only surpassed by Jorge Campos, who conceded that many at 32 years, 8 months, and 29 days old with Mexico against Brazil in 1999.