Argentina secures Copa America final spot led by Messi

Argentina secured their place in the Copa America final with a convincing 2-0 win over Canada, thanks to the exceptional performance of Lionel Messi. The 37-year-old forward, who currently plays for Inter Miami, played a central role in Argentina's victory, SSP reported.

The scoring began when Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez capitalized on a perfectly placed pass from Atletico Madrid's Rodrigo de Paul, finding the back of the net from close range. This early lead set the tone for Argentina's dominance throughout the match.

In the second half, Messi further extended the lead with a goal just six minutes into play. A powerful shot from Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez deflected off Messi, leaving Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau with no chance of making a save.

This triumph marks Argentina's sixth final in the last eight editions of the competition. Having secured an impressive 15 Copa America titles, Argentina sets the stage for an exciting showdown in the final against either Uruguay or Colombia.

However, there are conversations surrounding Messi's long-term future with the national team. With Angel di Maria, who will be bidding farewell to international duty, there are doubts about Messi's continuation as well. Messi expressed his enjoyment of the national team's journey, mentioning the challenges faced and the awareness that these could be the last battles for some players.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni plans to discuss with Di Maria and Messi to convince them to extend their international careers. Scaloni expressed his willingness to keep the door open for Messi, allowing him to be part of the team as long as he desires.

Despite their defeat, Canada surpassed expectations in their first-ever appearance at the Copa America. Ranked 48th in the world, Canada showed promise but ultimately fell short against a superior Argentine side. They will now face the losing team from the other semi-final in a third-place play-off.

Canada's coach, Jesse Marsch, expressed his pride in the team's achievements and stressed the importance of expanding their player pool in the coming years for sustained growth.

The upcoming semi-final between Uruguay and Colombia will determine who will face Argentina in the final. Excitement is building as the Copa America final is scheduled for Monday, July 15.