Summary: Argentina vs. Canada - Copa America Opener
The Copa America 2023 starts with a thrilling match between Argentina and Canada at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta this Thursday. Fans eagerly await the tournament, with Argentina entering as the pre-tournament favorites. Jesse Marsch’s Canadian team faces a formidable challenge, and the match will serve as an important test of their readiness.
Canada's Mixed Results in Warm-Up Matches
Leading up to the Copa America, Canada has had mixed results. They suffered a defeat against the Netherlands and managed a draw against France. These outcomes leave questions about the team's form and preparedness as they head into a significant match against Argentina. Nonetheless, the clash offers Canada an opportunity to gauge their progress and readiness for competitive international soccer.
Argentina Aims to Dominate on U.S. Soil
Argentina arrives with high expectations and aims to dominate the tournament on U.S. soil. A dip in Brazil's form post-World Cup has further consolidated Argentina's position as the favorite for Copa America. Despite missing key players such as Paulo Dybala, Juan Foyth, and Lucas Ocampos, Argentina remains a formidable force thanks to the presence of veterans like Lionel Messi, Ángel Di María, and Nicolás Otamendi.
How to Watch and Odds
For fans eager to catch the action, the match is scheduled for Thursday, June 20 at 8 p.m. ET. It will be held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Coverage is available on FS1, Univision, and TUDN. For those preferring to stream the game live, Fubo offers a free trial. As for the odds, Argentina stands at -333, a draw at +400, and Canada at +900, reflecting Argentina's strong favoritism.
Group A Overview
Group A consists of Argentina, Canada, Peru, and Chile. This group promises intense and entertaining soccer, with Argentina expected to top the group. While Canada is seen as the underdogs facing Argentina, their main competition will come from matches against Peru and Chile. The tournament will serve as a critical learning experience for the Canadian squad, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, to be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.
Team News and Possible Starting XI
Argentina:
Argentina will miss key players such as Paulo Dybala, Juan Foyth, and Lucas Ocampos, but they still have a star-studded lineup. Veterans Lionel Messi, Ángel Di María, and Nicolás Otamendi are expected to play pivotal roles. The midfield is likely to feature Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, and Giovani Lo Celso. Here is a potential Argentina starting XI:
Possible Argentina XI: E. Martínez; Montiel, Romero, L. Martínez, Acuña; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Álvarez, Messi, Di María.
Canada:
As for Canada, the team is in a phase of transition with new talents emerging as they move beyond players like Milan Borjan, Lucas Cavallini, and Atiba Hutchinson. Key players to watch include Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan, Alphonso Davies, and Stephen Eustáquio. Maxime Crepeau has taken over as the new No. 1 goalkeeper, and Luc de Fougerolles is set to make his senior debut. A possible starting XI for Canada could be:
Possible Canada XI: Crepeau; Johnstone, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies; Buchanan, Koné, Eustáquio, Millar; David, Larin.
Prediction: Tight Match, Narrow Win for Argentina
The match is predicted to be tight and competitive, but Argentina is expected to secure a narrow victory. A 1-0 scoreline in favor of Argentina is a plausible outcome. Despite a potential loss, the result could still be seen as encouraging for Canada, offering valuable experience against world-class opposition. Argentina is likely to dominate Group A, while Canada will focus on crucial matches against Peru and Chile to advance further in the tournament.
Quotes
"Copa America gets underway when Argentina and Canada meet in Atlanta on Thursday."
"This will be Canada’s first competitive test."
"Brazil’s post-World Cup dip in form suggests that Argentina are heavy favorites to win on U.S. soil."
"Argentina has been warned ahead of this one."
"This group makes for an interesting blend with potential for intense and entertaining soccer."
"This will all be about learning collectively with a view to the 2026 World Cup."
"The 2026 World Cup will be on home soil shared across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S."
"This result will be encouraging for Canada."
"Pick: Argentina 1, Canada 0."