In the last eight editions, Argentina has made it to the final six times and shared a record-breaking fifteen Copa trophies. However, Canada gave them trouble in the first twenty minutes when Jacob Shaffelburg missed two clear opportunities to score.
Argentina took the early pressure in stride, but in the 22nd minute, Rodrigo De Paul scored a goal through Alvarez, who slipped past two defenders and finished neatly.
2022 World Cup champions Argentina progressively gained control of the game, and in the 44th minute, Messi had a chance to increase their lead when, using deft footwork, he created space in the box but missed the mark.
In stoppage time in the first half, Jonathan David beat his defender to get on the end of a long throw, and Canada came dangerously close to equalizing, but his close-range drive was straight at goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Then, in the 51st minute, Messi scored Argentina’s second goal when he reached out and deflected an effort from Enzo Fernandez, beating Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau with a boot.
With the goal, Messi moved up to tie for fifth place all-time in the Copa America scoring standings with Eduardo Vargas of Chile and Paolo Guerrero of Peru on 14.
His 109th goal for Argentina, the 37-year-old overtook Ali Daei of Iran in the all-time international scoring lists. After Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 130 goals for Portugal, Messi is in second place.
Argentina held a two goal lead, but they had a nervous conclusion to the game when Tani Oluwaseyi, a replacement from Canada, challenged Martinez with a clean shot in the 89th minute and then headed a glanced header wide a minute later.
In the Sunday final in Florida, Argentina will play either Uruguay or Colombia, who face on Wednesday.
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