In a rematch of the opening game at the Copa America, Canada can become the second CONCACAF side to make the final of this competition when they face the reigning champions Argentina on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium.
Both sides made the semi-finals via penalty shootouts, with La Albiceleste defeating Ecuador and the Canucks edging Venezuela, with both matches ending in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.
Match preview
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It took some tremendous goalkeeping from the colourful Emiliano Martinez, but Argentina ultimately got the job done against Ecuador in the last eight.
Tuesday will be their fifth successive trip to the semi-finals of this tournament, with the Argentines advancing beyond this phase in seven of their previous eight attempts, losing to Brazil in 2019 (2-0).
A semi-final triumph would mark the first time they make the Copa America final as the defending champions since 1959, when two editions of the tournament transpired in that same year, and the Argentines finished as runners-up the second go around.
Lionel Scaloni's men have only conceded once in this competition but have not maintained a clean sheet in the Copa America semi-finals since it previously took place in the United States in 2016, when they defeated the hosts 4-0.
Argentina have not lost in normal time of a major tournament on US soil since Romania beat them 3-2 in the round of 16 at the 1994 World Cup.
La Seleccion can stretch their undefeated run to 10 matches across all competitions on Tuesday, conceding only three goals over that stretch.
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Since losing their first match in this tournament to the Argentines (2-0), the Canucks have grown by leaps and bounds, conceding just once in their last three fixtures.
Jesse Marsch's men are only the third CONCACAF team to qualify for the semi-finals of this tournament in their debut appearance (Honduras and Mexico) and the first in the region to make it this far since the USA in 2016.
This upcoming game will be the fifth time the Canadians are in the semi-finals of a continental tournament this century, and they have only advanced beyond this stage on two of those occasions, in the 2023 Nations League (2-0 over Panama) and the 2000 Gold Cup (1-0 over Trinidad and Tobago).
Not since the 2001 Copa America have we seen a CONCACAF nation advance into the final of this competition, when Mexico were narrowly beaten by Colombia (1-0) after defeating Uruguay in the semis (2-1).
Les Rouges have shown more defensive stability since being picked apart by the Netherlands in a pre-tournament friendly (4-0), conceding three goals in their last five encounters across all competitions.
In their last nine competitive fixtures, the Canadians have not conceded an opening-half strike but have been outscored by a combined 7-1 margin in the final 45 minutes of their last six games.
Although they have lost both of their previous encounters with Argentina by a 7-0 margin, their 2-0 loss to them in the opening match at the Copa America is the only time the Canucks have lost to a CONMEBOL side in a continental tournament this century.
Team News
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After missing their final group fixture as a precaution due to a sore hamstring, Lionel Messi was back in the fold for Argentina against Ecuador, but with a new partner in the attack as the top goalscorer in this competition, Lautaro Martinez (four goals) got the start over Julian Alvarez for a second successive encounter.
In the quarter-finals, Angel Di Maria was an unused substitute for the first time at the 2024 tournament, while Nicolas Otamendi came on for Enzo Fernandez late in the second half, claiming his 115th career cap, drawing level with Roberto Ayala for fifth all-time.
Lisandro Martinez scored his first international goal in the quarter-finals, and despite Messi missing his penalty in the shootout, Emiliano Martinez stopped two Ecuador efforts, allowing Otamendi to score the winner.
Tajon Buchanan remains doubtful for Canada after the Inter Milan man broke his tibia in training just days before their match with Venezuela.
The only new face that saw the field for Canada on Friday was Ali Ahmed, with the Vancouver Whitecaps wing-back taking the place of Richie Laryea.
Jacob Shaffelburg scored just the second goal for Canada at this tournament, and despite Liam Millar and Stephen Eustaquio missing their spot kicks, Venezuela missed three, two of which Maxime Crepeau stopped, allowing Ismael Kone to win the match.
Argentina possible starting lineup:
E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. 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
We say: Argentina 2-0 Canada
The Canadians have been one of the most captivating stories at this tournament, but fairytales do not always have a happy ending.
Canada gave Argentina a stiff test in the opening game of this tournament, but there are far too many match-winners that La Seleccion can call upon when compared to the Canucks.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
Argentina
Canada
Chile
Peru
Venezuela
Ecuador
Mexico
Jamaica
Uruguay
Panama
USA
Bolivia
Colombia
Brazil
Costa Rica
Paraguay
