Argentina kicked off their Copa America title defense with a convincing 2-0 victory over Canada on Thursday night at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. While Lionel Messi himself couldn't find the net on multiple occasions, his creative brilliance was undeniable, influencing the Argentina vs Canada opener.

A Cautious Start for Argentina

The opening half of Argentina vs Canada clash was a cagey affair. Canada coach Jesse Marsch implemented a well-drilled game plan, effectively neutralizing Argentina's attacking threats and applying pressure with swift forays forward. Argentina, searching for their rhythm, struggled to break down Canada's resolute defense, and the score remained deadlocked at halftime.

Alvarez Breaks the Deadlock in Argentina vs Canada

The second half of the Argentina vs Canada encounter witnessed a clear shift in momentum. Just four minutes after the restart, Julian Alvarez opened the scoring for Argentina. Lionel Messi initiated the attack with a perfectly weighted through ball to Alexis Mac Allister, who cleverly played it into the path of the onrushing Alvarez. The young forward displayed composure, slotting the ball past the advancing goalkeeper at the near post.

Messi the Playmaker, Argentina Secures the Win

The goal sparked a flurry of attacking opportunities for Argentina, with Messi at the heart of the action. However, despite creating numerous chances, Messi was unable to convert himself. Yet, the maestro remained influential, setting up Argentina's second goal with a delightful pass. A flowing sequence of passes culminated in Messi finding Lautaro Martinez in the box. The striker kept his cool, slotting the ball into the net to secure Argentina's victory in the  match.

Argentina kickstart their Copa America campaign with a crucial three points. Their next challenge comes on June 25th against their fierce rivals, Chile, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.