Both teams reached the semi-finals through penalty shootouts, with Argentina defeating Ecuador and Canada edging out Venezuela after both matches ended 1-1 in regular time. Argentina's goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, played a crucial role in their victory over Ecuador.
This will be Argentina's fifth consecutive trip to the Copa America semi-finals. They have advanced past this stage in seven of their last eight attempts, only losing to Brazil in 2019. A win in this semi-final would mark the first time Argentina has made the Copa America final as defending champions since 1959.
Under Lionel Scaloni, Argentina has only conceded one goal in this tournament but hasn’t kept a clean sheet in a Copa America semi-final since defeating the USA 4-0 in 2016. Argentina has an impressive record on US soil, not losing in regular time of a major tournament there since a 3-2 loss to Romania at the 1994 World Cup.
Argentina is on a nine-match undefeated streak across all competitions, conceding just three goals during this run. Since their initial 2-0 loss to Argentina in this tournament, Canada has significantly improved, conceding just once in their last three games.
Canada, coached by Jesse Marsch, is only the third CONCACAF team to reach the Copa America semi-finals in their debut appearance, following Honduras and Mexico. They are the first from the region to advance this far since the USA in 2016.
This will be Canada’s fifth semi-final appearance in a continental tournament this century, having only advanced beyond this stage twice: in the 2023 Nations League and the 2000 Gold Cup. The last time a CONCACAF team reached the Copa America final was in 2001 when Mexico lost to Colombia.
Canada has tightened up defensively since a heavy 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in a pre-tournament friendly, conceding just three goals in their last five matches. In their previous nine competitive fixtures, they haven’t conceded in the first half but have been outscored 7-1 in the second half of their last six games.
Although Canada lost both previous encounters with Argentina by a 7-0 margin, their 2-0 loss in this tournament's opening match is their only defeat to a CONMEBOL team in a continental competition this century.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
After sitting out the final group match due to a sore hamstring, Lionel Messi returned to the Argentina lineup against Ecuador. This time, he was partnered with Lautaro Martinez, the competition's top goalscorer with four goals, who started over Julian Alvarez for the second consecutive match.In the quarter-finals, Angel Di Maria was an unused substitute for the first time in the 2024 tournament, while Nicolas Otamendi came on for Enzo Fernandez late in the second half, earning his 115th career cap and tying Roberto Ayala for fifth all-time in appearances.
Lisandro Martinez scored his first international goal in the quarter-finals, and despite Messi missing his penalty in the shootout, Emiliano Martinez saved two Ecuador attempts, allowing Otamendi to score the decisive goal.
For Canada, Tajon Buchanan remains doubtful after breaking his tibia in training just days before their match against Venezuela.
Ali Ahmed was the only new face for Canada in their last match, taking Richie Laryea's place as wing-back for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Jacob Shaffelburg scored Canada's second goal of the tournament. Despite missed penalties from Liam Millar and Stephen Eustaquio, Venezuela missed three penalties, with Maxime Crepeau saving two, allowing Ismael Kone to secure the victory.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Argentina possible starting lineup:E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro. Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Lo Celso, Gonzalez; Messi, La. Martinez
Canada possible starting lineup:
Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies; Osorio, Eustaquio; Laryea, David, Shaffelburg; Larin
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Argentina 2-1 Canada[/SPOILER]
The Canadians have been one of the most captivating stories of this tournament, but not all fairytales have happy endings.
Canada put up a strong fight against Argentina in the opening game, but Argentina has far more players capable of turning the game in their favor compared to the Canucks.
The Canadians have been one of the most captivating stories of this tournament, but not all fairytales have happy endings.
Canada put up a strong fight against Argentina in the opening game, but Argentina has far more players capable of turning the game in their favor compared to the Canucks.
