Why are Argentina and Canada playing for a second time at Copa América?

Nineteen days on from the opening game of the 2024 Copa América, Argentina and Canada go head-to-head one again for a place in the final. Both teams emerged from Group A and successfully negotiated their quarter-final fixtures, bringing back together at the semi-final stage.

In most tournaments teams that played against one another in the group stages would be divided in the knockout rounds, ensuring that they cannot meet again until the final. This year’s Copa América, however, is formatted slightly different and we’ll have a rematch of the opening game. Argentina beat Canada 2-0 on the opening night, with goals from Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.

Argentina cruised through the group stage without conceding a goal but were given a mighty scare in their quarter-final against Ecuador, needing a penalty shootout victory to progress. Meanwhile Canada finished second in their group, ahead of Chile and Peru, before beating Venezuela in the quarter-final.

Can Canada beat Argentina in Copa América?

If Canada knock out Argentina - the continental and world champions - it would constitute one of the biggest shocks in Copa América history. This is an Argentinian side in imperious form and buoyed by their recent tournament successes.

However Canada, too, boast real momentum and they are looking to capitalise on this historic run to the semi-finals. With the 2026 World Cup drawing closer this is a chance for the national team to test themselves ahead of a tournament on home soil.

“We’re reaching a bigger crowd than just the football-mad crowd in Canada. And that’s what you want to do,” Canadian defender Alistair Johnston said after the Venezuela win. “We’re inspiring a lot of people and a lot of people are really tuning in, feeling like, ‘Wow, not only is this team reaching these kind of tournaments, but they’re competing.’ That’s something that the guys can be proud of.”

Of course, Argentina will still be the favourites for Tuesday’s game. Canada have been weakened by an injury to Tajon Buchanan after the Inter Milan midfielder suffered a leg break in training. However there is a real sense of progress made in the brief tenure of head coach Jesse Marsch and he will be desperate to build on the positivity of their run to the final four.