Argentina's dream of successfully defending their Copa América title lives on after reaching the final. Canada is defeated 2:0 in the semi-final.
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- The reigning South American and world champions can go one better against Canada. Argentina repeat the result of the opening game and advance to the final.
- The Albiceleste's dream of defending their Copa América title lives on. The final could also be the last for Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María.
- One thing is already clear: the two veterans have managed to turn a losing team into a winning team with Argentina.
What is almost unimaginable today was a reality for a long time. For almost three decades, Argentina was a fallen and notoriously unsuccessful football nation. After the triumphs at the 78th and 86th World Cups, the only victory was at the 1993 Copa América.
In 2005, a certain Lionel Messi made his debut at the age of 18. However, the Barcelona-educated prodigy had no luck with the Albiceleste for many years.
Messi & Co. were beaten by Germany in the 2014 World Cup final, Brazil were too strong at the 2007 Copa América and Chile held their nerve twice in penalty shoot-outs in the 2015 and 2016 Copa América finals. After the pitch-black series, Messi - who missed his penalty against Chile in 2016 - retired at the age of less than 30.
The bitter departure ...
"I gave my best," said Messi (via goal.com). "It's been four finals now, I haven't managed to win any of them. I've tried everything possible. It hurts me more than anyone else, but it's obvious that this is not for me. I want more than anyone to win a title with the national team, but unfortunately it didn't work out."
Today, the unlucky man has become a lucky charm. Although they failed to win the 2018 World Cup and the 2019 Copa América, the football-mad nation then rode a wave of success that continues to this day. Victory at the 2021 Copa América set the ball rolling: the triumph against defending champions Brazil in the famous Maracanã not only ended a 28-year drought, but also marked the resurrection of Messi. In the summer of 2022, Lionel Scaloni's squad rolled over Italy in the intercontinental Super Cup before going on to win the World Cup in Qatar in the winter. Now Argentina are back in the Copa América final.
... the great resurrection follows
Messi's CV for the national team also reads much better: he is the first footballer to lead his team to seven finals. With his 51st-minute goal in the 2-0 win over Canada, the eight-time world footballer took over second place in the all-time list of international goalscorers from Ali Daei. The magic flea has now scored 109 goals (in 186 games) in his career - only Cristiano Ronaldo (130 goals in 212 games) has scored more.
While the 37-year-old is approaching his next career highlight against Colombia or Uruguay, his Portuguese rival has lost some of his sporting appeal in recent years. Ángel Di María, who will retire after the final and 144 caps (31 goals), has almost always played alongside Messi. It could be the last major final in which the 36-year-old and Messi are on the pitch together for Argentina.
"These are the last battles," said Messi after the semi-final victory against the Canadians. "We should enjoy everything we experience as a national team." The emotionally overwhelmed Di María noted: "I feel joy, nothing but happiness".
Drake's blue-eyed bet against Argentina
Ángel Di María continued: "I'm not ready for my last game in the national team, but it's time. Whatever happens in the final, I think I can go out the front door. I've given everything. I've always given my life for this jersey. There were times when I didn't get to do it, but lately I've made it. I'm grateful to everyone who has supported me."
Drake certainly didn't support him. The Canadian rapper bet a measly 300,000 US dollars on a victory for his compatriots. In addition to the financial damage, there was also mockery from the Argentinian X channel, which used a song by Drake's rap rival Kendrick Lamar as its title: "Not like us".
In fact, it wasn't very smart to bet against Argentina at the moment. Argentina have only lost twice in the last five years. In 61 games, Messi & Co. have recorded a whopping 45 wins and 14 draws. With just one more win, the dream of defending the Copa América title would be perfect. The final will take place on Monday night (2 a.m. CET).
