Before the match at MetLife Stadium, Messi had participated in three matches at Copa America 2024 without scoring. In the opening group stage match against Canada, he had only managed one assist.

However, luck turned in favor of the 37-year-old striker during this match. Early in the second half, following a shot from Enzo Fernandez, Messi lightly touched the ball, altering its trajectory and leaving goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau unable to intervene.

Initially, the goal was attributed to Fernandez. Yet, upon review, organizers acknowledged Messi’s crucial touch that influenced the goal. Despite being near the goalkeeper, Messi was not offside as a Canadian defender had not advanced.

Upon learning that the goal was credited to him, Messi raised his fist to the sky before embracing Fernandez in gratitude.

This marked Messi’s 109th goal in 186 appearances for Argentina, with 14 of those goals coming in the Copa America across 38 appearances. With this goal, Messi surpassed former Iranian striker Ali Daei to become the second-highest scorer at the national team level, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo (130 goals).

If Messi had capitalized on his opportunities, he could have found the back of the net in the first half.

In the 12th minute, a well-placed pass from Angel Di Maria set up Argentina’s captain for his trademark left-footed shot towards the near corner, but the ball narrowly missed the target. Then, in the 44th minute, many Argentina supporters rose in anticipation as Messi dribbled past Canada’s defense in the penalty area, only to see his powerful right-footed strike narrowly miss the goalpost.

Alongside Messi, Di Maria, another seasoned Argentine player, made significant contributions throughout the match. His adept dribbling on the right flank consistently posed a threat to Canada’s defense. In addition to creating scoring opportunities for Messi, Di Maria provided a crucial through pass for Julian Alvarez to challenge the goalkeeper in the second half. He also dropped back to support the defense when needed and nearly scored himself at the end of the first half with a skillful lob that sailed just over the crossbar.

In this match, coach Lionel Scaloni surprised everyone by leaving out Lautaro Martinez – the striker leading the Copa America top scorer race with four goals. Instead, he put Alvarez in the center forward position. This is a tactical mark of the 46-year-old coach, because Alvarez’s quickness and strength were effective in the opening goal. The striker playing for Man City accelerated to receive a pass from Rodrigo De Paul. He controlled and eliminated the Canadian defender, then calmly slowed the ball down and shot between Crepeau’s legs.

Argentina’s second goal also had De Paul’s mark. In a combination on the right wing, the midfielder passed the ball back, intending to direct it to Messi but failed. However, in an attempt to block, Ismael Kone fumbled the ball to Fernandez, conceding a goal for Canada.