ARGENTINA will take on Canada in the early hours of Wednesday morning for a place in the 2024 Copa America final.
Lionel Scaloni's men came through a nervy quarter-final against Ecuador at the end of last week with a penalty shootout needed for victory.
They will face Canada in New Jersey in the semi-finals after Jesse Marsch's men came through their own penalty shootout against Venezuela to reach the final four.
The reward for the winner will be a place in the final on Sunday where they will meet either Uruguay or Colombia at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
How the bookies view it: Argentina backed to reach the final
The bookmakers aren't giving Canada much of a chance here which shouldn't come as too much of a surprise given the gulf in quality between the two squads. An Argentina win inside 90 minutes has been priced at 1/3 with Betfred while Canada to win has been priced at 8/1. If you expect the match to go beyond the 90 minutes, then the draw is priced at 16/5.
Recent head-to-head: A second meeting inside three weeks
Argentina and Canada have only ever met twice before on the football field and Argentina have come out on top on both occasions. Despite this fixture being rare, they last met less than three weeks ago in the group stages of the Copa America. On that occasion, Argentina ran out as comfortable 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martínez.
Players to watch: How will the GOAT respond to panenka miss?
Lionel Messi hasn't had a great Copa America by his standards and the 37-year-old is yet to score a goal at the tournament. His misery was compounded during the last match with Ecuador after his attempted panenka penalty in the shootout rebounded off the crossbar.
At his age, his best years are very much behind him, but it will be fascinating to see if he still has that grit and fire in his belly to bounce back with a stellar performance after missing his spot kick in the quarter-finals.
Canada's tournament so far has been built on a rock-solid defence. They have kept a clean sheet in two of their four matches and they'll have to be at their best to keep Messi, Alvarez and Martinez quiet. Goalkeeper, Maxime Crepeau, will likely need to have the game of his life if Canada are to make the final.
Predicted lineups
The biggest decision that Lionel Scaloni will have to make on Tuesday night relates to Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martínez. Alvarez started the tournament as Messi's partner up front but Martinez has leapfrogged him in the pecking order after a great individual tournament.
Canada, meanwhile, are without Tajon Buchanan after the Inter Milan man broke his tibia in training prior to the Venezuela match.
Argentina: Martinez – Molina, Romero, Martinez, Tagliafico – De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez – Di Marita, Messi, Martinez
Canada: Crepeau – Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies – Eustaquio, Osorio – Laryea, David, Shaffelburg – Larin
Anything else catch the eye?
It's not been the most high-scoring international tournament ever played and that is unlikely to change here. All eight of the matches involving Argentina and Canada at the Copa America have seen fewer than three goals scored and with a place in the final at stake, another cagey affair is anticipated. Under 2.5 goals is priced at 4/5 with Betfred.
This Euro 2024 match between Argentina and Canada will be played on Jul 10, 2024 and kick off at 01:00. Check below for our tipsters best Argentina vs Canada prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
