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02:16

Thank you!

Thank you for tuning into Mail Online's live coverage of the Copa America opener between Argentina and Canada.

Both teams will play again on Tuesday as group stage action continues. Canada will take on Peru at 6 PM ET while Argentina look to keep their streak going against Chile at 9 PM ET.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 20: Lautaro Martinez of Argentina celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the CONMEBOL Copa America group A match between Argentina and Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 20, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

Argentina's Lautaro Martinez, right, embraces teammate Lionel Messi at the end of a Copa America Group A soccer match against Canada in Atlanta, Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Soccer Football - Copa America 2024 - Group A - Argentina v Canada - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, United States - June 20, 2024 Argentina fans celebrate after the match REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

02:12

The final numbers

Argentina led Canada in most aspects of the game, the good and the bad.

Messi and Co. controlled 64.5 per cent of the possession, outshot the Canadians 19-10 (9-2 on target), and had seven corner kicks to Canada's four.

On the other hand, Argentina had 15 fouls to their opposition's nine. Crepeau was the busier keeper, making six saves to Martinez's two.

Both teams had two yellow cards.

Soccer Football - Copa America 2024 - Group A - Argentina v Canada - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, United States - June 20, 2024 Argentina's Lionel Messi and Canada's Alphonso Davies after the match REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

epa11427143 Fans react to a goal by Argentina during the second half of the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 group A soccer match between Argentina and Canada, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 20 June 2024.  EPA/ERIK S. LESSER

02:05

Argentina win 2-0!

After 90 minutes, Argentina secured a 2-0 win over Canada to gain three points and top position in Group A

Argentina's Lautaro Martinez, center, celebrates with teammates scoring his side's second goal against Canada during a Copa America Group A soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored the goals as Messi struggled to find the back of the net all evening.

01:58

Argentina strike again!

Lautaro Martinez proved to be the super sub as he doubles Argentina's lead in the 87th.

Messi split the Canadian defense with a sharp pass to find Martinez on the run. He the placed the ball beautifully past Crepeau to give Argentina the 2-0 cushion.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 20: Lautaro Martinez of Argentina  celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the CONMEBOL Copa America group A match between Argentina and Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 20, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)

01:46

Argentina use first subs

Argeninta bring in Lautaro Martinez for goal-scorer Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Otamendi for Leandro Paredes.

Argentina hold their 1-0 lead with 15 minutes (plus stoppage) left in the game.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 20: Julian Alvarez of Argentina celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the CONMEBOL Copa America group A match between Argentina and Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 20, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

01:37

Messi misses twice

Messi had the chance to double their lead in the 64th after breaking away in a counterattack.

After hitting Crepeau's gloves with his initial shot, Messi had a goal on the silver platter before getting his follow-up blocked by Derek Austin Cornelius' head.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 20: Lionel Messi of Argentina gestures during the CONMEBOL Copa America group A match between Argentina and Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 20, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

Soccer Football - Copa America 2024 - Group A - Argentina v Canada - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, United States - June 20, 2024 Argentina's Lionel Messi in action REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

01:17

Argentina scores!

Argentina take the 1-0 lead, thanks to a goal from Julian Alvarez in the 48th.

Alvarez capitalized on the goal being unguarded after Mac Allister collided with Crepeau in the box.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 20: Julian Alvarez of Argentina celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the CONMEBOL Copa America group A match between Argentina and Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 20, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

Argentina's forward #09 Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group A football match between Argentina and Canada at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 20, 2024. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Argentina's Julian Alvarez, not seen, celebrates with teammates scoring the opening goal against Canada during a Copa America Group A soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

01:13

Second half begins

Can either side break the deadlock in Atlanta? Argentina and Canada kickoff the second half of the Copa America opener from Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 20: Lionel Messi of Argentina looks on during the CONMEBOL Copa America group A match between Argentina and Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 20, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)

00:54

Scoreless at halftime

After an intense 45 minutes, Canada and Argentina are 0-0 at the intermission.

The champions controlled 65.9 per cent of possession and put three of their seven attempts on-frame. Canada also made seven attempts with one hitting the target.

Soccer Football - Copa America 2024 - Group A - Argentina v Canada - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, United States - June 20, 2024 Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

epa11427081 Julian Alvarez of Argentina (L) and Alphonso Davies of Canada (R) battle for the ball during the first half of the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 group A soccer match between Argentina and Canada, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 20 June 2024.  EPA/ERIK S. LESSER

00:52

Martinez saves Argentina

After Argentina's header got saved, Emiliano Martinez responded with a save of his own on the other end - keeping his clean sheat.

00:48

Mac Allister's header gets saved

Rodrigo De Paul served a beautiful cross from the right side of Canada's box to find the Liverpool midfielder in the 39th.

Mac Allister's attempt was an easy catch for Maxime Crepeau. The game stays scoreless.

00:40

Canada miss three in a row

Alphonso Davies presented an opporutnity for his team to score by driving down the wing and playing the ball into the box. His teammates had three attempts in the same sequence with the third skying over the post.

00:29

Argentina leads in possession and attempts 20 minutes in

The defending champions have controlled 60.5 percent of the possesion and have four shots to Canada's two (1-0 on target) nearly a quarter into the game.

Canada had a corner and a save.

Soccer Football - Copa America 2024 - Group A - Argentina v Canada - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, United States - June 20, 2024 Argentina's Lionel Messi walks out before the match REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

Argentina's forward #05 Leandro Paredes (L) fights for the ball with Canada's forward #09 Cyle Larin during the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group A football match between Argentina and Canada at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 20, 2024. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

00:22

Messi makes history

The eight-time Balon d'Or now holds the record for the most appearances in Copa America history.

00:17

Messi misses his first shot

The Argentina star found a breaktrhough in the 9th minute but could not get his attempt on target. He was also flagged offside after missing the golden opportunity.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 20: Lionel Messi of Argentina battles for possession with Jacob Shaffelburg of Canada during the CONMEBOL Copa America group A match between Argentina and Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 20, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

00:13

Leandro Paredes hits the first shot of the game

Paredes took a shot just outside of Canada's box to give the game its first real opportunity right before the five-minute mark. Unfortunately, the shot went above the cross bar.

Argentina is looking sharp with their passes.

00:08

Argentina and Canada kickoff Copa America 2024

Canada kick off from center field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to begin the tournament.

23:53

Sergio Aguero presents the Copa America trophy

Argentina and Manchester City legend Sergio 'Kun' Aguero placed the Copa America trophy on the stand as the Argentina and Canada prepare to kickoff the tournament.

Aguero was part of the Argentina roster that won the cup in 2021.

Soccer Football - Copa America 2024 - Group A - Argentina v Canada - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, United States - June 20, 2024 Former Argentina player Sergio Aguero and CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez are seen before the match REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

Soccer Football - Copa America 2024 - Group A - Argentina v Canada - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, United States - June 20, 2024 Former Argentina player Sergio Aguero next to the Copa America trophy before the match REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

23:48

Argentina take the field for warm-ups

The defending champions have taken the pitch and began warming up. Messi, De Paul and Di Maria are pictured with the rest of the team before the opening ceremony.

Soccer Football - Copa America 2024 - Group A - Argentina v Canada - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, United States - June 20, 2024 Argentina's Lionel Messi before the match REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 20: Lionel Messi of Argentina warms up prior to the CONMEBOL Copa America group stage match between Argentina and Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 20, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

Soccer Football - Copa America 2024 - Group A - Argentina v Canada - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, United States - June 20, 2024 Argentina's Angel Di Maria before the match REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 20: Leandro Paredes of Argentina (R) warms up during the CONMEBOL Copa America group stage match between Argentina and Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 20, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

23:41

Messi fans flood the Peach State

Argentina fans are making their presence felt outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Supporters are seen sporting jerseys with the eight-time Balon d'Or winner's name and number as the team takes the field for warmups.

An Argentina's supporter cheers ahead of the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group A football match between Argentina and Canada at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 20, 2024. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Jun 20, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Fans shown in the stands before the start of the match at Mercedez-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 20, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Fans react in the stands before the match between Argentina  and Canada at Mercedez-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

23:35

Canada look to bounce back to start the tournament

After beating Trinidad and Tobago, 2-0, in the Concacaf Nations League, the Canadians suffered a 4-0 loss to Netherlands in a friendly. They then drew scoreless against France in their latest outing. The task at hand does not get easier for Davies and Co. as they face the reigning World Cup and Copa America champions to start their campaign.

23:28

Alphonso Davies leads Canada's starting lineup

The Bayern Munich left back captains Canada as they get the first jab at the defending champions in Group A action.

23:24

Messi to start for La Albiceleste

Leo Messi will wear the captain's armband as he leads his team against Canada. Angel Di Maria, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, and Emiliano Martinez will start alongside the Inter Miami star.

23:20

Can Argentina keep the momentum?

Leo Messi and Co. are heading into their Copa America opener behind four consecutive wins in international friendlies.

The Argentines scored a total of 11 goals against El Slavador, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Guatemala and conceded two goals.

23:12

Good evening!

Hello and welcome to Mail Sport's live coverage of tonight's Copa America curtain-raiser between Argentina and Canada.

Lionel Messi and Co are set to begin the defense of their crown over in Atlanta, where they face a Canada side with high hopes of a run at the tournament under new coach Jesse Marsch.

It promises to be a fascinating evening, and we'll be bringing you live updates and developments throughout - so stay tuned here on Mail Sport!

Argentina's Lionel Messi kicks the ball as he works on a drill during training for a Copa América soccer match, Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in Kennesaw, Ga. Argentina plays against Canada on Thursday in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

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