Argentina vs Canada-Argentina will begin their Copa America title defense when they face Canada in the tournament opener on Thursday at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
With six CONCACAF teams participating in the tournament, Canada is set to make its Copa America debut after coming through a playoff against Trinidad and Tobago.
Match preview
Argentina, the current holders of the Copa America crown, defeated their old foes Brazil in the 2021 final to win the tournament for the first time since 1993 as Lionel Messi celebrated the first international trophy of his glittering career.
La Albiceleste followed up their Copa America triumph with another successful performance at the 2022 World Cup, defeating France on penalties in a thrilling final to lift the coveted trophy for the first time since 1986.
Lionel Scaloni’s side have been in great form since their World Cup success, winning 13 and losing just one of their previous 14 matches, ensuring they will carry significant momentum into this summer’s tournament in the United States.
Argentina vs Canada-In their 2 warm-up matches, Argentina beat Ecuador by a 1-0 scoreline, before producing a free-scoring display to beat Guatemala and make it 5 straight wins since a surprise loss to Uruguay in October.
Having completed their preparations, La Albiceleste will now turn their full attention to the serious business of Group A and the world champions will be heavy favorites for the top spot ahead of Canada, Chile and Peru.
Argentina vs Canada-Thursday’s tournament opener represents Argentina’s first meeting with Canada since a team managed by the legendary Diego Maradona was beaten in a 5-0 friendly win in May 2010.
While Argentina are 15-time Copa America winners, Canada qualified for the competition as one of six CONCACAF teams, set to appear in the tournament for the first time.
Canada was forced to go through a playoff after failing to qualify as one of the top four teams in the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League.
The Canucks finally showed extra quality in their squad to claim a 2-0 win in March’s playoff tie against Trinidad and Tobago after second-half efforts from Cyle Larin and Jacob Schaffelberg.
Argentina vs Canada-While Canada will want to give a good account of themselves, they could see the Copa America as a great opportunity to test themselves against some high-quality teams as they look to gain experience in bigger tournaments ahead of the 2026 World Cup they will be including. – Hosted along the United States and Mexico. Football.
Canada will also enter the competition under new management after the appointment of Jesse Marsh last month, giving the American the opportunity to resume his coaching career after leaving Leeds United in February 2023.
Marsh began his tenure this month with a 4-0 defeat by the Netherlands, but he will have been encouraged by his side’s response to that disappointing loss, holding France to a goalless draw.
Team News
Scaloni announced his final 26-man selection after the win over Guatemala, making the difficult decision to leave out Valentin Berco, Leonardo Balerdi and Angel Correa.
With veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi set to add to his 112 international caps, the Benfica defender is expected to form a centre-back pairing with Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Romero.
The Argentina boss is believed to think Atletico Madrid’s duo of Enzo Fernandez, Alexis McAllister and Leandro Paredes should start in a midfield three alongside Rodrigo de Paul.
Argentina vs Canada-Fresh from scoring twice against Guatemala, Messi will look to add to his tally of 108 international goals in Thursday’s Copa America opener.
As for Canada, Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies is one of the best names in the squad, and left-back Alastair Johnston, Moise Bombito and Derek Cornelius are set to work in the back four.
Porto’s Stephen Eustace will wear the captain’s armband and is expected to line up in the middle of the park alongside Watford’s Ismail Kone, the Canada captain.
Argentina vs Canada-Lille marksman Jonathan David will provide one of his country’s main goal threats after netting 26 in 48 international appearances.
Argentina vs Canada lineup:
Argentina’s probable starting lineup:
E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; Mac Allister, Paredes, De Paul; Messi, Gonzalez, Alvarez
Canada’s probable starting lineup:
Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies; Buchanan, Eustace, Cohn, Miller; David, Larin
Argentina vs Canada prediction: Argentina 2-0 Canada
Canada boasting talented players like Davies and David, they have enough quality in their squad to cause the defending champions some problems, but we believe Argentina’s world-class talent will eventually shine through to claim a routine win.