Argentina blanks Canada to reach Copa America final

The reigning Copa America Champions have sealed their return to the tournament final.

Argentina blanked Jesse Marsch’s Canada 2-0 on Tuesday evening at MetLife Stadium, advancing to Sunday’s Copa America Final. Julian Alvarez delivered the opening goal in the first half before Lionel Messi iced the result six minutes into the second half.

Emiliano Martinez registered a two-save clean sheet in between the posts.

Alvarez, who scored against Canada in group stage play, netted his second goal of the competition after 22 minutes. Rodrigo De Paul’s through ball pass was slotted home by the Manchester City forward for a 1-0 Argentina lead.

Jonathan David’s left-footed effort just before halftime was repelled by Martinez, keeping the Argentinians in front at the break.

Messi doubled Argentina’s lead six minutes into the second half after a fortunate redirection was finished by the Inter Miami star. Enzo Fernandez’s original effort was redirected by Messi into the back of the net for a 2-0 Argentina lead.

Tani Oluwaseyi had Canada’s last offensive opportunity just before second-half stoppage time, but Martinez was again up to the task to deny the Minnesota United man.

Argentina, who hasn’t lost in its last 10 matches, will now meet either Colombia or Uruguay in Sunday’s final from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.