Argentina Surge To Copa America Finals With Messi’s 109th Goal (image-instagram/ leomessi)

Lionel Messi’s 109th goal has led the defending Champion Argentina over Canada 2-0 in the semi-final match of Copa America. The La Albiceleste is just one-win away from joining Spain as the only nation to win three straight major titles.

After the win, Lionel Scalone, the coach said, “Argentina’s path to the Copa America final has been no bed of roses”.

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The team took the lead in the 22nd minute through Julian Alvarez, and Messi doubled the advantage in the 51st minute by redirecting Enzo Fernandez’s shot into the goalpost.

With an impressive tally of 28 goals in the last 25 matches for Argentina, including 14 in Copa America, Lionel Messi is just three goals away from cracking the record.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player who has scored 130 international goals.

Though Canada had a couple of chances to score, Emiliano Martinez rose to the occasion blocking the Canadians from scoring.

In Sunday’s final, Argentina would either face Uruguay or Columbia. Meanwhile, the edition of the Copa America is likely to represent the last chance for many senior squad members to add to their trophy collection with the national team.

Angel di Maria, 36 had earlier said that he would retire from international football after the Copa America, while Messi, 37, and Nicolas Otamendi, 36, are nearing the end of their careers.

When asked about Messi’s “last battles” comment, Scaloni said: “We have to leave him alone, he knows that we will not be the ones to close the door on him. He can stay with us as long as he wants, even when he retires…Let him decide what he wants.

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Messi who is currently playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer in the US has not yet confirmed whether he would be present with the Albicelste for their title defence at the 2026 World Cup.