COPA AMERICA: ARGENTINA VS CANADA PREVIEW, PREDICTION & BETTING PICKS

Canada are unlikely to be any match for the World Champions, with Argentina likely to thrash Canada with Messi and Alvarez likely scorers. Argentina 3 - 0 Canada.

Current World Champions Argentina take on Canada this Friday in the opening game of the Copa America. In a group that could see some surprises, a strong first showing is a must for both Argentina and Canada.

Date: 21/06/2024

Kick-off time: 08:00 (EST)

Location: Mercedes-Benz StadiumFollowing their triumph the last time out in this competition in 2021, Argentina look to pick up their 16th title whereas Canada look to make an impression and make a far run with their young squad.Argentina are the most successful team in Copa America history with 15 titles and have made the most appearances of any team in the competition, with 44 appearances so far since 1916.The last time out in this competition saw Argentina lift another trophy. After winning Group A with three wins and one draw in four games, Argentina went on to beat Ecuador and Colombia on the way to the Final. Angel Di Maria scored the only goal to give Argentina the 1 - 0 win over Brazil.Canada, on the other hand, are making their first appearance at the Copa America. The rule change that allows more than just CONMEBOL teams from South America to compete sees Canada get their first taste of Copa America glory.The road to the Copa America was a long one for Canada as they were amongst the likes of Costa Rica, Honduras and Trinidad and Tobago looking for a spot in the competition. Cyle Larin and Jacob Shaffelburg both scored in the 2 - 0 win over Trinidad Tobago to book the spot in the final tournament.Argentina and Canada have met just once in their histories, this being in an international friendly back in 2010 where Argentina picked up the first win in the fixture.A brace from Maxi Rodriguez and goals from Di Maria, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero saw Argentina pick up the massive 5 - 0 win over the Reds.

Argentina Team News

Lionel Scaloni as always has an absolutely stacked squad for the Copa America. Emi Martinez, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Di Maria, Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi.

Canada Team News

Jesse Marsch has called up the likes of Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, Lille’s Jonathan David and Watford’s Ismael Kone for Canada’s first Copa America squad.

In their last five games in all competitions, Argentina have five wins.In a World Cup Qualifier back in November, Argentina took on bitter rivals Brazil. Despite having just two shots on target, Nicolas Otamendi found the back of the net just after the hour. Joelinton was sent off late on for Brazil as Argentina wrapped up a 1 - 0 win.In an international friendly, Argentina hosted El Salvador. Romero opened the scoring for The Blue and Whites and Fernandez doubled the lead before halftime. Giovani Lo Celso’s early second half goal secured the 3 - 0 win for Argentina as El Salvador only managed one shot on target with 20% of the possession.Manfred Ugalde put Costa Rica ahead at halftime but within the first ten minutes of the second half Di Maria and Mac Allister both found the back of the net to put Argentina back ahead. Lautauro Martinez then grabbed a late goal to give Argentina the 3 - 1 win.Di Maria scored the only goal of the game in the 40th minute to give Argentina the 1 - 0 win over Ecuador who had zero shots on target in five attempts.The last time out for Argentina was against Guatemala. An own goal from Lisandro Martinez gave Guatemala the lead in the fourth minute but a goal from Messi and a penalty from Lautauro Martinez gave Argentina the lead before halftime. Another goal from both Messi and Lautauro Martinez gave Argentina the 4 - 1 win.

In their last five games in all competitions, Canada have two wins, one draw and two losses.The Concacaf Nations League saw Canada take on Jamaica in the first leg of the Quarter-finals. David gave Canada the lead on the stroke of halftime but Shamar Nicholson equalised for Jamaica just before the hour mark. Stephen Eustaquio popped up with a goal in the 85th minute to give Canada the 2 - 1 win.The second leg saw Davies give Canada the lead over Jamaica at halftime again. A brace from Nicholson put Jamaica ahead but Kone equalised for Canada just three minutes later. Despite the red card to Demarai Gray, Bobby De Cordova-Reid converted his late penalty to win 3 - 2 on the night, but Canada progressed on away goals.The Concacaf Nations League Play-off saw Canada take on Trinidad and Tobago. After a goalless first half, Larin and Shaffelburg both scored to give Canada the 2 - 0 win, Trinidad and Tobago having just two shots on target.An international friendly saw Canada take on the Netherlands. Memphis Depay, Jeremie Frimpong, Wout Weghorst and Virgil van Dijk all scored in the 4 - 0 win for the Netherlands, Canada managing just two shots on target in 90 minutes.The most recent outing for Canada was against France in another international friendly. Canada had zero shots on target in seven attempts but France also failed to convert any of their four shots on target as the game finished in a 0 - 0 draw.