Lionel Messi set a stunning new record as he inspired Argentina to an opening 2024 Copa America victory early on Friday morning.
Argentina beat Canada by two goals to nil in the inaugural encounter of the competition, with goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez seeing the Albiceleste pick up three points.
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While both sides had their fair share of chances in the first half, they went into the interval with the score level at 0-0.
That would, however, change in the 49th minute, when Messi played an intelligent ball through to Alexis Mac Allister who ran in behind the defence.
With the goalkeeper rushing towards him, the midfielder's touch took it away and the ball fell in the path of Manchester City attacker Alvarez, who slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Messi was also heavily involved in the second goal, this time playing a ball in behind the defence to put Martinez through on goal, with the Inter Milan forward sliding the ball past the goalkeeper to put the game beyond doubt.
???? Argentina 2-0 Canada ????Was it clinical? No. Was it dominant? It got there.Argentina's bid for a third straight major tournament title is on.#ARGCAN #CopaAmérica pic.twitter.com/gpYtLGd2wQ
— Opta Analyst US (@OptaAnalystUS) June 21, 2024
Aside from his influence on both of his team's goals, Messi was also in the spotlight for setting a new all-time record for the most appearances at the competition.
The 36-year-old's involvement against the Canadians was his 35th appearance across seven tournaments, after competing in the Copa for the first time in 2007.
He has also scored 13 goals while representing his nation at the South American showpiece, with the top goalscorer record currently being held by compatriot Norberto Mendez and Brazilian Zizinho, who have both scored 17 times in the Copa.
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The former Barcelona star, who helped the side win the continental showpiece in 2021, will be keen on another triumph after their positive start to this latest campaign.
The Albiceleste's next immediate challenge, however, will be against Chile in another group A clash that will take place on Wednesday.
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