Tonight, Tuesday July 9th, the Canadian men’s national soccer team collides in the Copa América semifinal with arguably the best the international stage of the sport has to offer, Argentina.
The Argentinians have floated directly to the top of world football since beating world class Brazil 1-0 in the final to capture their world leading 29th Copa América championship back in 2021. That was then topped by what may have been the most exciting and enticing game in the history of football, the 2022 World Cup finals, where Argentina managed to best France 4-2 on penalties in Qatar to take home their 3rd World Cup, now trailing just Brazil (5), Germany (4) and Italy (4).
As if all the hardware hasn’t spoken enough to the Argentine success. Here are the FIFA men’s world rankings:
- Argentina
- France
- Belgium
- Brazil
- England
- Portugal
- Netherlands
- Spain
- Croatia
- Italy
- USA
- Morocco
- Colombia
- Uruguay
- Mexico
- Germany
- Japan
- Senegal
- Switzerland
- IR Iran
- Denmark
- Korea Republic
- Australia
- Ukraine
- Austria
- Poland
- Hungary
- Sweden
- Wales
- Ecuador
- Peru
- Serbia
- Russia
- Czechia
- Qatar
- Egypt
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Nigeria
- Scotland
- Chile
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- Panama
- Algeria
- Slovakia
- Norway
- Romania
- Canada
- Cameroon
- Mali
Just 48 spots separating the two, nothing insurmountable, eh? Well the Canadians in the locker room and taking the pitch tonight will not be focused on world rankings. They will have their last matchup with the blue and white fresh on their mind.
This Copa América group stage proved to be the first time the countries would play football against one another in a major tournament, or any tournament at all for that matter. While the two had met in 2010, it was for a friendly in Buenos Aires.
Match History: Canada vs. Argentina
| Team | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Canada | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 |
Argentina 5-0 Canada
May 24th, 2010; Buenos Aires
International Friendly
Argentina 2-0 Canada
June 20th, 2024; Atlanta
Copa América Group Stage
A 7-nil history does not bode well for the Canadians’ confidence entering their 3rd matchup with the current kings. But, what they can hang their hat on is the 1.16 expected goals they were able to conjure but not capitalize on in their last meeting. All the while Argentina managed to net two to take the victory Canada was not completely blown away by the quality displayed, and likely expect to continue gaining ground on the best in the sport as long as there is the opportunity, and the next opportunity is tonight.
Alphonso Davies should line up in his club position at left back as he has a history of causing Lionel Messi problems in his favourite right hand channel.
Phonzy can, and has pocketed Leo before, it’ll be a matter of who’s better on the day. Nonetheless that wing matchup will be featuring one of the world’s best left backs and one of the world’s best right wingers, in each other’s faces for presumably at least 90 minutes.