Lionel Messi and Argentina began their quest for back-to-back Copa America titles with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Canada in the tournament opener at a packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium. While Messi himself wasn’t at his scoring best, youngster Julian Alvarez opened the scoring for Argentina in the second half. Canada’s goalkeeper, Max Crepeau, impressed with his saves, keeping the underdogs in the game until Lautaro Martinez sealed the win late for Argentina.

However, the opening match wasn’t without its controversies. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni expressed dissatisfaction with the pitch conditions, while reports emerged of racist abuse directed towards a Canadian player online. Canada’s soccer authorities are currently investigating the incident.

Meanwhile, in other news, the United States awaits their first match, with all eyes on how they’ll fare against the backdrop of high expectations playing on home soil. The tournament has also seen its share of drama off the field, with Wales recently sacking their manager, Rob Page, after a disappointing run.

With the group stage still unfolding, all eyes are on whether Messi can recapture his scoring touch and lead Argentina to another Copa America triumph. Fans are also eager to see how the likes of Brazil, Uruguay, and the host nation, the United States, will perform in the coming matches.