ATLANTA — The 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America kicked off on Thursday, with Concacaf nation Canada falling 2-nil to reigning FIFA World Cup and Copa America champions Argentina in the tournament opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Maxime Crepeau provided the first of seven saves on the night in the 8’ to deny Julian Alvarez on a breakaway.
Canada defender Derek Cornelius cleared a ball in the box in the 27’ as Marcos Acuña provided a dangerous cross across goal.
Jonathan David was blocked in the box in the 32’, connecting on a pass from Alphonso Davies, as Canada came close to opening the scoreline.
Crepeau denied a header in the box from Alexis Mac Allister in the 39’ to keep things even.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez denied a header in the box from Stephen Eustaquio in the 43’ as the Concacaf nation continued to look for the lead.
Julian Alvarez obtained the opening goal in the initial minutes of the second half, in the 49', with a right-footed strike in the box.
Crepeau denied Lionel Messi in the 65’ to prevent the Argentina lead from being extended.
Messi came close again in the 79’ but Crepeau closed in on the Inter Miami CF forward to force an attempt off target.
Lautaro Martinez secured Argentina’s second goal in the 88’, connecting on a through ball from Lionel Messi, to solidify the victory for the defending champions.
Canada will look to bounce back from its opening match loss when it faces Peru on Tuesday at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. Argentina will face Chile later in the day at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
FACT:
Concacaf teams with Venezuelan referees in Copa América: (GP-10 W-3 D-0 L-6) only Mexico (1x0) against Peru in 1997 and Costa Rica (0x4) against Bolivia in 2001 and (2x3) Colombia in 2016 achieved victories.
Concacaf teams in their Copa América debut game: (GP-8 W-1 D-0 L-6) Panama has been the only Concacaf representative to win a debut match in the tournament (2x1) against Bolivia in 2016. Of the teams that debuted, only Mexico (1993) and Panama (2016) managed to score goals.