His first touch was excellent. His second left Canadian defender Moïse Bombito on the grass. His third beat goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, and put Argentina ahead.
Julián Álvarez made this look too easy ????????Another look at Argentina's goal to take the lead over Canada ⬇️???????? pic.twitter.com/4UZTBR0313
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
It was Álvarez who had broken through three weeks earlier, when these two teams met in the 2024 Copa América opener. On that night in Atlanta, Canada lasted 48 minutes. Here, it lasted only 22.
In those 22 minutes, the underdogs were frisky. They detected openings. They sprung forward on the counter. They threatened.
But they didn't quite have the quality to pounce on opportunities. And once they conceded, they were toast.
Messi, with a classic feint and a right-footed shot, nearly buried the Reds right before halftime.
OH MESSI ‼️Just wide here ???? pic.twitter.com/ryU3en9RqL
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
Some five minutes after halftime, he did bury them.
He got off the mark at the 2024 Copa América, ironically, with one of the most Cristiano Ronaldo goals of his glittering career. He slid a pass to De Paul. He continued his run. After some penalty-box pinball, he stabbed his foot at an Enzo Fernandez shot, and half-poked, half-caressed it into the net.
He glanced at the assistant referee, unsure whether he was onside. But he was, so he gently leapt into Enzo's arms, and felt a feeling he hadn't felt in a competitive Argentina game since October.
THERE IT IS FOR MESSI ????????????After review the goal is confirmed and Argentina takes a 2-0 lead ???? pic.twitter.com/WBFJnQTtiX
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
He had looked relatively pedestrian in three prior 2024 Copa América games. And frankly, Argentina had as well.
