Argentina's Lionel Messi, right, and Canada's Derek Cornelius battle for the ball during the Copa America tournament's opening match in Atlanta on June 20.Mike Stewart/The Associated Press
Update: Canada lost the game 2-0 to Argentina, with goals scored by Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi. They play Saturday, July 12 for third place. Read more here.
Whether you call it soccer or football, all eyes are on tonight’s Canada vs. Argentina semi-final in the Copa America tournament. It’s very much a “David vs. Goliath” encounter, seeing that Canada is set to take on the reigning Copa América champions, led by superstar Lionel Messi.
Here’s what you need to know about tonight’s game, and how to watch.
Canada vs. Argentina
After a surprising win over Venezuela in the Copa America quarter-final, Canada’s men’s national team will take on the defending World Cup champions. Canada will have a chance at redemption after losing 2-0 to Argentina in the tournament’s opening game on June 20.
Canada is currently ranked No. 48 in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings, out of more than 200 countries. It’s the lowest ranking the Canadian men’s team, which is sandwiched between Romania and Cameroon, has had since being ranked 53rd in December, 2022.
What time is the game, and how do I watch it?
The Canada vs. Argentina match begins at 8 p.m. ET or 5 p.m. PT. Canadian fans are able to watch the game on TSN, TSN.ca and the TSN App.
The game will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Who are the key players to watch?
Jacob Shaffelburg celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 quarter-final match between Venezuela and Canada at AT&T Stadium on July 5, in Arlington, Texas.Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Jacob Shaffelburg
Nova Scotia native Jacob Shaffelburg, who’s been nicknamed the Maritime Messi, is making a name for himself in the tournament. The 24-year-old from Port Williams, N.S., turned heads as a second-half substitute during a match against Peru on June 25 when he assisted the only goal of the game, scored by teammate Jonathan David.
He also scored for Canada in the quarter-final win over Venezuela. Mr. Shaffelburg, who started the tournament on Canada’s bench, has three goals in 13 appearances for the national team.
Canada midfielder Alphonso Davies plays against Chile during the second half of a Copa America Group A soccer match on June 29, in Orlando, Fla.Phelan M. Ebenhack/The Associated Press
Alphonso Davies
Alphonso Davies is quickly becoming a household name as a star in the top European leagues, playing for one of the world’s best clubs – FC Bayern Munich. The Edmonton-raised player was revealed as the Canadian men’s national soccer team’s captain ahead of the Copa America tournament. Mr. Davies, 23, has been named Canada Soccer Player of the Year four times in his career already.
Jonathan David celebrates victory after the Copa America 2024 quarter-final match between Venezuela and Canada in Arlington, Tex..Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
Jonathan David
Jonathan David has also been a major player to watch. The 24-year-old plays as a forward for Lille, one of France’s top professional soccer clubs. He scored in the 74th minute of the Canada vs. Peru game, resulting in Canada’s first-ever victory in a Copa America match and its first victory over a South American opponent in 24 years.
What is the Copa America tournament?
The Copa America is the world’s longest-running soccer tournament. It is traditionally a South American soccer tournament, although teams from North America and Asia have been invited to compete since the 1990s.
The year’s tournament, the 48th edition, is co-organized by CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American soccer, and CONCACAF, the governing body for North America, Central America and the Caribbean. CONCACAF entered six guest teams – of which only Canada is left standing – to join 10 CONMEBOL countries for this year’s tournament.
The United States is playing host to the tournament for the second time, having played host to the Copa América Centenario in 2016. The tournament also acts as a prelude to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico.
What’s happened in the tournament so far? Who else is in the semis?
Canada is in a rematch with Argentina after being defeated 2-0 during the opening match of the tournament on June 20 when Messi helped set up second-half goals by Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.
Since then, Canada defeated Peru 1-0 in Kansas City and earned a draw against Chile 0-0 in Orlando during the Copa America group stage, before knocking out Venezuela 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes in the quarter-final. Ismael Kone scored the decisive penalty after a third save by goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau in the sixth round.
Both teams are coming off quarter-final wins on penalty kicks. Tonight’s match sets up Canada’s third meeting against Argentina. The two sides first met at the senior level in May, 2010, in Buenos Aires, where Argentina beat Canada 5-0.
In the other semi-final, Uruguay plays Colombia on Wednesday night in Charlotte, N.C. The championship game is Sunday at Miami Gardens, Fla.
Why is this game a big deal?
Not only is this the first time the Canadian men’s national soccer team is playing in a semi-final in the esteemed Copa America, it’s the first time Canada is playing in the tournament at all.
Canada earned a trip to the 2001 Copa America in Colombia as a reward for winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2000 but did not attend after security concerns prompted organizers to call off the event before reinstating it.
Meanwhile, Argentina has hoisted the Copa America trophy 15 times, which ties Uruguay for the most in history.
Who is coaching the Canada team?
Jesse Marsch of Racine, Wis., was hired in May as the full-time successor to John Herdman, who had led Canada to a historic but ultimately disappointing run at the FIFA men’s World Cup in 2022.
Marsch had a long career as a player in the U.S. before becoming head coach of Major League Soccer’s Montreal Impact, now CF Montreal, in 2012. He went on to manage RB Leipzig of the German Bundesliga in 2021 and Leeds United of the English Premier League in 2022.
Now, less than two months after the 50-year-old Marsch took over, Canada is set to play one of the most important games in its history.
What’s the likelihood that Canada will win?
Google’s Win Probability stats heavily favour Argentina, suggesting there’s a 73-per-cent chance that Messi’s team will win. A Canada win is only 9 per cent likely, according to Google’s model.
Rapper Drake posted a screengrab of his bet on the Canada vs. Argentina Copa America semifinal game to his Instagram story on July 9, 2024.Supplied
Plenty of Canadians are getting into the games, including rapper Drake betting $300,000 on his home country to win against Messi’s Argentina on Tuesday. He posted an Instagram story with a screenshot of his bet with the caption ‘This could get Messi.’ The Views artist’s estimated payout if Canada wins is $2.88-million.
With reports from The Canadian Press, Reuters and The Associated Press.