Goal in the Copa America! Messi Breaks Yearly Record, Argentine Media Praises Him for Showing No Signs of Injury

In a pivotal semi-final match of the Copa America, Argentina faced Canada, with Messi returning to form and securing a crucial goal that propelled his team into the finals.

According to Argentine sports channel TYC Sports, compared to his lackluster performance against Ecuador, Messi demonstrated a more positive side in this game, successfully overcoming previous muscle injury concerns, scoring his first goal in this year’s Copa America, thereby locking in Argentina’s spot in the final.

During the match against Chile, Messi unfortunately suffered a muscle injury, which led to his absence from the Peru clash and left him struggling in the Ecuador encounter. However, in this critical semi-final, Messi regained his form, showing no signs of injury, and within just six minutes of the second half, he seized an opportunity. After Enzo Fernandez’s shot deflected, Messi sent the ball into the opponent’s net, helping Argentina extend their lead to 2-0.

Although the Argentine players celebrated the goal excitedly at first, VAR got involved, with the referee deciding to review the footage to confirm Messi’s position at the moment of Enzo’s shot. This review garnered attention from the Argentine bench. The players gathered around the screen, watching the replay nervously, awaiting the verdict.

In the end, Messi’s goal was deemed valid. As such, Messi has now scored in six Copa America tournaments (2007, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024), becoming the first player in 67 years to achieve this feat in the Copa America. The last player to do so was Brazil’s Jairzinho, who accomplished it in the forties and fifties of the last century.

Messi’s goal not only announced his return to form but also shed the shadow of his poor performance against Ecuador. In that match, he clearly hadn’t fully recovered, even missing the first penalty in the shootout. However, against Canada, Messi displayed excellent form right from the start, nearly breaking the opposition’s goal as early as the 11th minute.

In the closing stages of the second half, Messi and teammate Di Maria executed a brilliant combination play, with Messi aiming low to the bottom right corner of the goal, almost increasing the score once again. This showcased his outstanding competitive state and desire for victory. Messi’s exceptional performance undoubtedly added more confidence to Argentina’s journey towards the final.