.The first Copa America 2024 semifinal is expected to be a case of David vs. Goliath, as reigning champions and the world's top-ranked team Argentina face Cinderella story Canada for a spot in the final. The match will kick off at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Wednesday, 6:00 AM (Bangladesh time).
To no one's surprise, Argentina have barely put a foot wrong en route to the semifinals, relying on a handful of attacking talents as Lionel Messi takes more of a behind-the-scenes role in what could be his final international tournament.
They will naturally be the heavy favorites against Canada, who they beat 2-0 to open the competition. It's a surprise rematch of the first game since Canada have gone on an unexpected run to the final four just weeks into Jesse Marsch's tenure as head coach. It sets up for an intriguing showdown between two teams with the same ambition, but with different points to prove.
Messi remains the focal point of the team, but Argentina's greatest strength at the Copa America has been their attacking depth. Lautaro Martinez has become the tournament's most reliable goalscorer with four goals, while Alexis Mac Allister leads his team with two assists. Messi has just one assist to his name -- to Martinez's goal in the opener against Canada -- but he has been no slouch, creating 11 chances in three games, the third-most in the competition.
Their depth allows them to maintain their tag as the favorites to win the whole thing, though a penalty shootout win after a 1-1 draw with Ecuador raised a little bit of alarm. They were outshot by Ecuador 9-8 and also lost the expected goals battle 1.73 to 0.87, but a matchup against Canada is expected to offer a perfect opportunity to bounce back with a spot in the final on the line.
This is Argentina's game to lose, and between the talent on the roster and the ambition this group has after winning multiple trophies in recent years, it feels unlikely they will squander the opportunity to make back-to-back Copa America finals. Expect an entertaining match against a new-look Canada, but one that will end as expected -- with Argentina on top.
