Lionel Messi finally scored at the 2024 Copa America in a 2-0 win over Canada. It was one of the easiest goals of his career, but it will surely boost the 37-year-old’s morale as he moves to finally help Argentina become the only South American nation to win three major titles in a row.

Lionel Messi finally scored at Copa America 2024 in a 2-0 win over Canada.

Julian Alvarez put Argentina ahead in the 22nd minute, controlling Rodrigo De Paul’s long pass, taking two touches to escape Moise Bombito before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau for his ninth international goal. Despite dominating the game, it took the Albiceleste until the 51st minute for another goal. From a corner kick, the Canadian player failed to clear the ball. Enzo Fernandez was in an open position and fired a shot, which Messi took a slight touch from close range, diverting it into the Canadian net. “I wasn’t sure if Enzo’s ball went in or not. It was a reflex,” Messi said.

It was the first goal for El Pulga in this year’s Copa America, and his 14th in Copa America history. Messi has scored 28 goals in his last 25 games for Argentina. He has also scored against 38 different countries. The 37-year-old superstar has a total of 109 goals in his international career, second only to Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 130 goals.

With their Independence Day victory, Argentina extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches. The Albiceleste are seeking a record 16th Copa title when they face either Uruguay or Colombia in Sunday’s final in Miami Gardens, Florida. “It’s crazy what this team has done, what the Argentine national team is doing,” Messi said. “For veterans like me, Angel Di Maria, Nicolas Otamendi, to reach another final is impressive. We have to enjoy every moment of what we are living. I know that these are the last battles.”

Argentina awaits Uruguay or Colombia in the final on Sunday.

If Argentina successfully defend their Copa America title, sandwiched between the 2022 World Cup, they will match Spain’s record (Euro 2008 and 2012, along with the 2010 World Cup) as the only teams to have won three major tournaments in a row. “These are statistics. I don’t really care about them. The most important thing is to win,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said, carefully avoiding talking about the title too early. “Getting to the final is extremely difficult, especially when we have done it with success and victory before. It’s doubly difficult. Those inside know how difficult it is to get to this point. It’s something to be proud of and grateful to the players.”

While Messi spoke of “the last battles,” Scaloni and his fans still hold out hope that his legend will return to MetLife for the 2026 World Cup final. “We will never be the ones to close the door,” Scaloni said. “He can stay with our team as long as he wants.”

Argentina now face either Uruguay or Colombia, in what will be the last game Di Maria and Messi will play together. “You know what I think, we will see how he plays,” Scaloni said of Di Maria. “We will not honour him before the game, there will be tears and everyone, his family, will be sad. We will see if we can convince him later, but for now we will let him play.”