Argentina opened their defence of the Copa America with a 2-0 win over a battling Canada in Atlanta.
The World Cup champions dominated possession but were frustrated for much of the evening as they spurned several opportunities with 18 shots on target while surviving the occasional scare at the other end.
Julien Alvarez put them ahead early in the second half, Lautaro Martinez wrapping up the win in the closing minutes as he latched on to Lionel Messi’s through ball.
Angel Di Maria was the first Argentine player who failed to take advantage of a one-on-one after springing the offside trap, losing control and allowing goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau to make the first of several blocks.
Rodrigo De Paul’s ball across an empty goal found nobody on hand to tap in, while Alexis Mac Allister headed at Crepeau with the best chance of the half.
Canada carried their own threat despite being well beaten in possession stats; Alphonso Davies was the main danger as he created a chance for Tajon Buchanan to put wide.
Emiliano Martinez saved from Stephen Eustaquio before Lionel Messi – making a record 35th appearance in the tournament – put his first real sight of goal over the bar just before the break.
Alvarez finally found the net four minutes after the restart, firing home after being found by Mac Allister.
Canada had chances to equalise, a VAR check ending claims for a penalty, while Argentina continued to be wasteful, Messi firing wide after being clean through and substitute Nicolas Otamendi spurning two chances in quick succession.
Lautaro Martinez finally made things safe, latching on to Messi’s through ball to slide it under Crepeau.
Fernandes-NevesRuben Neves is eager for Portugal team-mate Bruno Fernandes to join him at Al-Hilal as the Manchester United star mulls an offer from the Saudi club.WHAT HAPPENED?Fernandes is considering a huge move to the Saudi Pro League, with the club prepared to pay him £200 million over three years. The Manchester United skipper is still deciding on whether to accept the £700,000 per...
AFC Bournemouth v Leicester City FC - Premier LeagueMilos Kerkez has hinted that a summer move to Liverpool is on amid talk that the Premier League champions are keen to sign the Bournemouth star.WHAT HAPPENED?The Reds have a long-standing interest in Kerkez, who has impressed at left-back for Bournemouth this season. Quizzed about a potential move, the Hungarian told Nemzeti Sport that the specul...
Paris Saint-Germain v FC Internazionale Milano - UEFA Champions League Final 2025PSG star Ousmane Dembele has been named the Champions League Player of the Season, while Lamine Yamal and one Arsenal player also made the best XI.WHAT HAPPENED?Dembele shone throughout the competition, scoring six goals during the league stage before netting against Liverpool and Arsenal in the knock-out rounds. He w...
Nottingham Forest 'close' to agreeing deal for THREE Botafogo starsNottingham Forest are reportedly close to agreeing a deal to sign Botafogo trio Igor Jesus, Cuiabano, and Jair Filho this summer.According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Forest are close to agreeing a deal with the Brazilian side for the three players.Striker Jesus, 24, left-back Cuiabano, 22, and central defender Jair, 20...
Chelsea join race for Everton star Jarrad BranthwaiteChelsea are reportedly the latest club to register an interest in Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite ahead of the summer transfer window.The 22-year-old had previously been linked with a move to Man United, but they were unable to meet Everton’s 370 million valuation.Branthwaite has emerged as one of England’s hottest defensive pros...
Saudi Pro League clubs eye Tottenham ace Son Heung-MinTottenham captain Son Heung-Min is reportedly subject to interest from several Saudi Pro League clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.The 32-year-old has previously been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, but Tottenham recently activated the one-year option in his contract, keeping him at the club until summer 2026.According to TalkSPORT, ...
PSG in 'concrete talks' to sign River Plate wonderkid Franco MastantuonoChampions League winners PSG are reportedly in 'concrete talks' to sign highly-rated River Plate wonderkid Franco Mastantuono this summer.The French club are said to be interested in adding another rising star to their young side with the 17-year-old keen on the move.Mastantuono currently has a €45 million release clause...
Roma await as Gian Piero Gasperini leaves AtalantaAtalanta have confirmed long-serving manager Gian Piero Gasperini has officially left the club with a move to Roma understood to be only a matter of time.The 67-year-old leaves Atalanta after nine years having transformed them from Serie A strugglers to consistent Champions League competitors.Atalanta released a statement thanking Gasperini for his...
Francesco Acerbi refuses Italy call-up, hints at lack of respectInter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi has rejected a call-up from the Italy national team, hinting at a lack of respect from manager Luciano Spalletti.Acerbi, 37, played the full 90 minutes for Inter Milan as they suffered the biggest defeat in Champions League final history against PSG on Saturday.Just hours after the 5-0 defeat, he ...
Luis Diaz's fiancee Gera Ponce sends goodbye message to Liverpool fansGera Ponce, fiancee of Liverpool winger Luis Diaz, has seemingly sent a goodbye message to the fans as transfer speculation continues to mount.Diaz, 28, has been heavily linked with moves to Barcelona and Saudi Arabia but recently said in an interview with the club he was “very happy” at Liverpool.The stories surroun...
- 1 Gyokeres' words about joining Arsenal
- 2 Albanian Laura Woods wows fans in Champions League final outfit
- 3 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 4 Maya Jama and Ruben Dias share loved-up selfie
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 Arsenal boss Arteta's wife Lorena Bernal shares marriage secrets
- 7 Daily Laugh - GG bro / Sancho & Antony
- 8 AC Milan put eye-watering price-tag on Leao
- 9 Liverpool star Konate drops update on future
- 10 'No agreement' between Chelsea and Sancho