Debuting at the Copa America editions, the Canada faces Argentina for the semi-final of the tournament this Tuesday (9), at 9:00 p.m. (Brasilia time), at the MetLife Stadium. Competing for a place in the final of the competition is already a historic feat for the team led by Jesse Marsch: despite the toughness of facing the current world champion, a victory is enough for the history of the reds to continue to be written on American soil.

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The squad and recent history do not deny it: the Albiceleste are favourites for the confrontationbut Canada is adopting a sniper position and could surprise in New Jersey.

The best Canada in history

The 2022 World Cup was historic for both nations. While Argentina won another cup, Canada broke a 36-year taboo of not competing. The fact speaks for itself: Canadian football is experiencing a special generation – the highest quality in history.

Currently, part of the team plays in the major leagues of Europe. Athletes like Alphonso Davies, the winger of Bayern Munich, Jonathan David, the goal machine of Lille, and Cyle Larin, who dominated the attack of Mallorca in 2023/24, are some of the highlights of the current generation of Canada.

At 24, Jonathan David, the national team’s number 10, has already scored an incredible 121 goals as a professional in European football and is targeting a transfer to the giants of the Old Continent. Alphonso Davies, on the rise in Germany after five seasons, is seeing this possibility more closely: the full-back has recently held talks to strengthen Real Madrid.

Messi absent?

Another reason why Canadians and Dryers are clinging is Messi’s below-average performance in this Copa America. Argentina’s main idol of the last few decades, Leo has been less influential than usual.

In the previous phase, against Ecuador, the star almost put the classification in danger with an unsuccessful recovery. Dibu Martínez, goalkeeper of the Albiceleste, emerged as a hero on that occasion.

In three matches in this Copa America, Messi has yet to score a goal and has provided only one assist.

X-ray of stars

Furthermore, in the direct confrontation between the biggest stars of Canada and Argentina, the North American star has the upper hand. Alphonso Davies and Lionel Messi have faced each other four times in history, with three victories for the Canadian and only one for the Argentine.

The only time Messi has beaten a team featuring Davies was in the group stage of this Copa America. In the teams’ debuts in the tournament, the Argentines won 2-0 at club level, but Leo never came out on top.