Lionel Messi finally scored at the 2024 Copa America, netting one of the goals in Argentina’s 2-0 semi-final win over Canada on Tuesday night.
La Albiceleste are now just one win away from joining Spain as the only nation to win three consecutive major titles.
Spain won the European Championship in 2008, were crowned FIFA World Cup winners in 2010 before lifting another European trophy in 2012.
For its part, Argentina won the 2021 Copa America before winning the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Also read: Shakira to participate in the 2024 Copa America final in Miami
In Tuesday’s semifinal, Julián Álvarez gave Argentina the lead in the 22nd minute, controlling a long pass from Rodrigo De Paul, taking two touches to get away from Moïse Bombito and sliding the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau to score his ninth international goal.
Messi made it 2-0 in the 51st minute when he redirected Enzo Fernández’s shot after a poor pass from Ismaël Koné hit Crépeau in the face from four yards out.
The former Barcelona star has scored 28 goals in his last 25 games for Argentina and 14 goals in the Copa America, three short of the record. He has scored against 38 different countries.
Apart from that, the goal against Canada was Messi’s 109th international goal. Only Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo with 130 goals has more international goals than Messi.
Argentina will face either Uruguay or Colombia in the Copa America final this year.
The semi-final match between Uruguay and Colombia will take place on Thursday.
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