Lionel Messi reveals what he told Enzo Fernandez after deflected goal gave Argentina a 2-0 lead in the semi-final of Copa America 2024
Argentina captain Lionel Messi revealed what he told midfielder Enzo Fernandez after his deflected goal gave them a 2-0 lead in the Copa America 2024 semifinal. They held on to the scoreline against Canada on Wednesday (July 10) and progressed into their second consecutive final at the tournament.
Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez had opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, sweeping home after receiving a long ball from Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.
In the 51st minute, the Inter Miami superstar attempted a cheeky flick to redirect Fernandez's shot but ended up miscuing it off the bottom of his boot. Fortunately for him, it ricocheted off Canadian shot-stopper Maxime Crepeau into the back of the net.
The goal was Messi's first in four appearances at Copa America 2024. He had previously provided an assist for Lautaro Martinez (2-0) in Argentina's opening group-stage fixture against Canada.
Post-game, Messi revealed the conversation he had with the Chelsea midfielder after the goal was scored. He said (via @AlbicelesteTalk on X):
"I told Enzo that it wasn't my intention to take the goal away from him. I saw that the goalkeeper had just fallen and the ball was coming slowly. I deflected it a little because the goalkeeper almost saved it away from me too. The important thing is that it counted, and we were able to make it 2-0, which gave us peace of mind."
Lionel Scaloni's side have been thoroughly dominant throughout the tournament so far. In their five-game run to the final, they have scored eight goals, conceded just one, and kept four clean sheets.
"Honestly, I was calm" - Lionel Messi makes claim about mental and physical state in Argentina's 2-0 Copa America win vs Canada
Lionel Messi revealed that he was calm' and felt much better in Argentina's 2-0 win over Canada in the semi-final of Copa America 2024.
The 37-year-old had suffered a thigh injury in La Albiceleste's 1-0 win over Chile in their second group-stage game. Manager Lionel Scaloni took no risks and benched him throughout their 2-0 win over Peru in the third group game.
He returned for the quarter-final against Ecuador but cut a forlorn figure throughout the game. He was relatively uninvolved through the 90 minutes, which ended 1-1. He even missed the opening penalty in the ensuing shootout, but Argentina were bailed out by two heroic saves from shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez.
Messi finally broke his duck for the tournament with the goal against Canada. However, he claimed that he was calm about the goal drought, focusing more on his physical fitness throughout the game.
In a post-match interview, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner said (via All About Argentina's X):
"Honestly, I was calm and wasn't worried about scoring goals or no. I just wanted to feel good. In the first match against Canada, I felt good. Then I got injured against Chile, and in the recent match (against Ecuador), I didn't feel comfortable. But now against Canada, despite how tough it was and the condition of the pitch... everything... I felt much better."
Attempting to defend the crown they won in 2021, Argentina will take on either Uruguay or Colombia in the Copa America final at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on July 14.