As darkish clouds converged over the swamps of New Jersey, a few figures stood out from the crowds streaming into MetLife Stadium.
They have been Jehovah’s Witnesses. They have been neatly dressed, as ever. They usually hovered close to the gates within the hope that some folks is perhaps for turning. There was just one downside – the tens of 1000’s of Argentina followers who flocked right here have already chosen their God.
And for the following few hours they sung his identify they usually bowed in his route. Even at 37, even after fighting damage, even after lacking a penalty within the quarter ultimate, even a couple of video games and not using a objective, Lionel Messi continues to repay that devotion.
He was not at his mesmerizing greatest right here however he scored the decisive second as Argentina beat Canada to achieve the ultimate of Copa America.
What a time to search out his first objective of the event. Messi is now the second highest scorer in worldwide soccer historical past – behind solely Cristiano Ronaldo; Lionel Scaloni’s facet at the moment are one sport away from profitable a 3rd successive main event.
Lionel Messi celebrates together with his teammates after doubling Argentina’s lead within the semifinal
Julian Alvarez scored the opening objective for Argentina after assembly Rodrigo de Paul’s move
Julian Alvarez set them on the highway to Miami – Messi’s adopted house – with a neatly labored objective halfway by means of the primary half. Then, shortly after the restart, the Argentina captain sealed victory, turning house Enzo Fernandez’s shot from a couple of yards out.
It meant that this semifinal ended with the identical scoreline as when these two groups met within the event’s opening sport. What that belies, nevertheless, is the exceptional progress made by Jesse Marsch and Canada en route up to now.
Within the nation’s first Copa America, solely a few months after appointing the American supervisor, Canada has damaged new floor. Two years out from a house World Cup, this staff seems to be to have turned a nook in direction of brighter days.
For a staff ranked No 48 on the earth, this has been an excellent run that includes breakout victories over Peru and Venezuela. Penny for the ideas at US Soccer HQ. Marsch was ignored in favor of Gregg Berhalter. However after America crashed and burned, he has led Canada to new heights.
The Argentina gamers have a good time with Alvarez and 1000’s of Argentina followers at MetLife
This sport all the time appeared a bridge too far. Scaloni has constructed a profitable machine that has already received this event in 2021 and the 2022 World Cup. Now solely Uruguay or Colombia can cease Argentina from securing a file sixteenth Copa America. Not fairly the idiot’s errand of these Jehovah’s Witnesses. However no easy feat.
A number of hours earlier than kick-off, supporters have been already passing soccer balls across the parking tons exterior Metlife Stadium. They spanned completely different generations they usually wore completely different jerseys. However nearly each fan carried the identical identify. Collectively they stitched collectively the tapestry of Messi’s profession. Argentina, Barcelona, Inter Miami.
On Tuesday night time, nearly a 12 months to the day since he arrived in America, nearly two years to the day till the World Cup ultimate involves this stadium, Messi arrived on the cusp of but extra historical past.
Within the tons and within the stands, there was the odd pocket of Canada crimson. Past that, although, Jersey was a sea of blue and white. Argentina followers drank and danced. One set off fireworks. These Jehovah’s Witnesses stood and watched.
Messi (proper) scored his first objective of the 2024 Copa America to make the rating 2-0
MetLife Stadium in New Jersey was filled with adoring Argentina and Messi followers on Tuesday night time
This event has introduced a couple of reminders of Messi’s fragility. Since these two groups met on opening night time, the 37-year-old had battled damage after which, towards Ecuador, he missed from the penalty spot.
Canada went by itself wild trip over the previous two and half weeks, too. That represents an inexpensive chunk of Marsch’s reign and the supervisor insisted his staff had grown aplenty on this unlikely run.
Canada stifled the defending champions for some time in Atlanta and Marsch’s facet made a nerveless begin right here. Regardless of that this was one of many largest night time’s within the staff’s historical past. Regardless of that Metlife was a tinderbox. Supporters turned up the noise – and bowed in unison – after Messi dragged an early shot extensive.
Both facet of that, although, it was Canada who created the brightest openings. New hero Jacob Shaffelburg had a few capturing probabilities; Marsch’s facet regarded harmful each time they burst ahead.
After which, identical to that, the rug was pulled from beneath Canada. Rodrigo de Paul was given an excessive amount of time close to midway and the midfielder clipped a ball into the trail of Alvarez. The Manchester Metropolis ahead discovered a pocket of house, rode Moise Bombito’s problem and broke the impasse – simply as he did towards Canada within the group phases.
It represented vindication for Scaloni, who picked Alvarez over the event’s prime scorer, Lautaro Martinez. It was a brutal reminder, too, that the world’s greatest groups received’t all the time hearth warning pictures.
Marsch wasn’t pleased – the Canada boss wished a foul within the build-up to the objective. By half-time, nevertheless, he may have been relieved that the deficit was just one. For some time after the objective, Canada was clinging on. Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Tagliafico each got here shut earlier than Messi labored some house inside the realm, solely to drag his shot extensive.
He made no mistake a couple of minutes later, when Fernandez fired a shot in direction of objective from the sting of the field. Messi seemed to be in an offside place when he diverted the ball into the online. He wasn’t. And so the objective stood and Canada fell in direction of its sword.
Marsch’s staff saved pushing and Canada created a few superb late probabilities for Tani Oluwaseyi. By then, although, lots of the 80,000-strong crowd – which included Brazilian nice Ronaldo – had began the get together early.
