Lionel Messi pulls strings as Argentina tame Canada in Copa América opener

Lionel Messi’s through ball led to Julián Álvarez’s goal in the 49th minute, then he assisted on Lautaro Martínez’s goal in the 88th as Argentina began the defense of their Copa América title with a 2-0 victory over Canada on Thursday night.

Argentina are seeking its third straight major title after winning the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 World Cup.

With South America’s championship moved to the United States for the second time, Messi set a Copa América record with his 35th match, one more than Chile’s Sergio Livingstone from 1941-53. Messi extended his own record with his 18th assist.

Messi, who turns 37 on Monday, created the first goal when following a throw-in he headed a pass through the defense for Alexis Mac Allister. The midfielder side-footed a pass to Álvarez while crashing into an onrushing goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau about eight yards out. Álvarez had a virtually empty net and kicked the ball in over a sliding defender for his eighth goal in 32 international appearances.

Messi extended his Copa América record when he ran through the center of the midfield and rolled a pass to Martínez, who got his 25th international goal.

Messi’s best scoring chance was in the 65th minute, when Crépeau made a diving stop and Messi’s attempt off the rebound was blocked by the head of defender Derek Cornelius. Messi put a chip wide after he came in alone on Crépeau in the 79th.

He was shaken up by a sliding tackle from defender Moïse Bombito in the 82nd minute, but remained in the game.

Argentina’s Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring his team's first goal during Thursday’s match. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images

Argentina play Chile on Tuesday at East Rutherford, New Jersey, then close the first round against Peru on 29 June at Miami Gardens, Florida. Canada face Peru on Tuesday at Kansas City, Kansas, and finish the group stage against Chile on 29 June at Orlando, Florida.

Fourteen US stadiums are hosting the tournament, which runs through 14 June and ends at Miami Gardens, Florida. Six nations from North and Central America and the Caribbean were added to the 10 South American teams, just as in the centennial Copa América in 2016.

Slow starts did not prevent the Albiceleste from winning their previous two tournaments. Argentina opened the 2022 World Cup with a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia and began the 2021 Copa América with a 1-1 draw against Chile.

Canada made their Copa América debut and played their first competitive match under American coach Jesse Marsch, hired on 13 May.

Grass was installed at Mercedes-Benz Stadium after a Major League Soccer game Saturday on the usual artificial turf.

Argentina started eight players who began the 2022 World Cup final victory over France, inserting central defender Lisandro Martínez, left back Marcos Acuña and Leandro Paredes for Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico and Enzo Fernández.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was tested in the 43rd minute, when he used his left hand to bat away a bounced header by Stephen Eustáquio.