Canada vs. Argentina: Your guide to historic Copa America semifinal showdown

On Tuesday night, nan Canadian men’s shot squad will look a historical trial erstwhile it squares disconnected pinch Argentina successful nan Copa America semifinals.

The crippled will statesman astatine 8 p.m. and fans successful Canada tin watch nan crippled connected TSN and those who are southbound of nan separator tin watch it connected FS1.

This is nan first clip Canada has appeared successful nan world’s oldest moving tournament, which was traditionally contested by nan 10 countries successful South America earlier being expanded to 12 teams. This year, six North American countries were invited to participate, pinch nan lone subsister of that bunch being Canada.

Tuesday’s title has been overmuch talked astir successful Canada and will apt spot bars filled pinch Canadian supporters.

Here’s what to cognize astir nan game.

How did Canada advance?

Canada and Argentina were really grouped together and met successful their opening lucifer of nan tournament.

The Canadians held nan world’s No. 1 shot squad disconnected for 45 minutes but aft nan break, forwards Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez were some capable to find nan backmost of nan nett to assistance Argentina to a 2-0 win.

Canada sewage a small spot of luck successful their adjacent 2 games arsenic some Peru and Chile had players sent disconnected and vanished pinch conscionable 10 men connected nan field.

Still, nan Canadian men had to return advantage, and they would spell connected to hit Peru 1-0 and clasp Chile to a 0-0 tie to beforehand to nan quarterfinal round.

In nan quarters, Canada took connected Venezuela, wherever Jacob Shaffenburg gave nan Canadians nan early lead. It looked for illustration Canada would bent connected until nan 64th minute, erstwhile Jose Rondon embarrassed Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Grapeau by looping a changeable complete his caput from region to moreover things up.

But Grapeau made up for his correction successful nan shootout that followed, turning speech 2 Venezuelan shooters to springiness Canada nan win.

How did Argentina advance?

After they knocked disconnected Canada successful their opener, nan Argentines went connected to sound disconnected Chile 1-0 earlier blanking Peru 2-0. In their past title of group play, they rested a number of starters, including prima midfielder Lionel Messi.

When they reached knockout play, they faced disconnected pinch Ecuador, which was nan first squad to people connected Argentina arsenic nan crippled vanished successful a 1-1 tie earlier Argentina precocious connected punishment kicks.

The arguable opener

In nan first gathering betwixt Argentina and Canada, a barrage of racist comments were volleyed astatine Canadian defender Moises Bombito connected societal media aft a difficult tackle connected Messi towards nan extremity of nan game.

Canada Soccer expressed interest complete nan comments successful a connection by saying it was “deeply disturbed by racist comments made online and directed astatine 1 of our men’s nationalist squad players pursuing tonight’s match.”

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The governing bodies of North and South American soccer, CONCACAF and CONMEBOL, some besides expressed support and interest and said they would analyse nan matter.

Three stars for Canada

Jacob Shaffelburg – nan speedy Canadian caused an outpouring of Nova Scotian pridefulness aft scoring successful nan past game. Canada will request him to proceed his feisty play if it is to upset nan world’s best.

Alphonso Davies – nan skipper has led connected nan section pinch his play and his calm demeanour. He presently plays for 1 of nan world’s champion clubs successful Bayern Munich but location are rumours that he will move to Spain this summertime to play for Real Madrid.

Jonathan David – He has been a prolific scorer for Lille, which plays successful France’s apical league, having scored 71 goals complete 146 appearances. Canada will dream he tin find nan backmost of nan nett connected Tuesday.

Three stars for Argentina

Lionel Messi – While astatine property 37 he has begun to slow, Messi still gave Canada each it could grip during nan first meeting. He is still nan motor for a squad that is presently nan defending world and Copa America champions.

Lautaro Martinez – He presently plies his waste and acquisition successful Italy for Inter Milan. He has scored 103 times successful 206 matches for nan Italian nine and besides sewage 1 past Grapeau successful nan first meeting.

Alexis Mac Allister – The Liverpool midfielder tin beryllium a ascendant unit successful nan midfield pinch his smart passing and thoughtful play

The odds

As 1 mightiness conjecture erstwhile nan world’s top-ranked squad is playing a squad classed 48th, Argentina is simply a dense favourite.

It is -700 to cod nan win, which intends 1 would person to wager $700 to triumph $100. On nan flip side, Canada is +700 to propulsion disconnected nan upset win.