Canada takes on Argentina on Wednesday 10 July, 2024 in New Jersey in the 2024 Copa America semi-finals. Last Word on Football brings you a Canada Predicted Lineup as Jesse Marsch’s side takes on Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina.
Canada Predicted Lineup vs Argentina
How Canada has Lined up recently
Goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau has started all games for Canada so far. The Portland Timbers goalkeeper has been fantastic for the Maple Leafs so far in this tournament. Despite being at fault for Salomon Rondon’s equaliser in the second half, Crepeau saved two penalties in the shootout, helping Canada reach their first-ever Copa America semi-final. He kept two clean sheets in the three group matches, with his incredible performance against Argentina resulting in Crepeau winning Canada’s player of the match.
He was important in the win over Peru, gaining the highest Fotmob rating with 8.3/10. He was also the highest performer in the goalless draw against Chile. He made two saves in the match against Venezuela and made 12 recoveries.
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Canada has kept two clean sheets in four matches in the tournament with clean sheets coming against Peru and Chile. Captain Alphonso Davies has started all matches so far, earning his 51st cap for his country. He successfully scored his penalty in the shootout. Davies was rated as Canada’s top performer for the Maple Leafs alongside goalkeeper Crepeau.
Colorado Rapids’ Moise Bombito and Malmo’s Derek Cornelius have started every game as centre-backs so far. Bombito has played every minute so far, with Cornelius being subbed at halftime against Peru. Bombito, much like his captain, scored in the shootout. Alistair Johnstone has also started every match for Marsch’s side, playing every minute at right back.
In their most recent match, Marsch lined up with a 4-2-3-1, opposing the usual 4-4-2 that was used in the group stage. This was the first time that he adopted the formation since becoming manager of the Canadian national team. FC Porto’s Stephen Eustaquio started as a centre defensive midfielder alongside Toronto FC’s Jonathon Osorio, managed by former national team manager John Herdman.
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This was only Osorio’s second start under Marsch with his first coming in the goalless draw against Chile. Marsch opted for three attacking midfielders, with Richie Laryea, Jonathan David who scored the winner against Peru and Nashville’s Jacob Shaffelburg, with the latter starting his second game of the tournament.
Marsch prefers an upfront partnership of Mallorca’s Cyle Larin and Lille’s Jonathan David, with the latter scoring the decisive winner against Peru. However, David, who made his 50th appearance for the Maple Leafs against Chile played a deeper role. Mallorca’s Larin is still yet to play a full 90 minutes in the tournament.
Recent Form
Canada successfully qualified from their Copa America group for the first time. Their first game was a 2-0 defeat to World Champions Argentina in Atlanta. Both sides had their chances within the first half, and Canada controversially had a penalty shout waved away.
However, the difference came later on in the second half, when Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez snatched the points away from March’s side. In this match, Canada had 38% possession and an xG of 0.39 to Argentina’s 2.58 yet arguably the statistics don’t quite do the underdogs justice.
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In their second match, Canada earned their first-ever Copa America win, beating Peru 1-0 in Kansas. This was thanks to a David goal in the 77th minute. This win firmly placed the Maple Leafs in control of their destiny, as Chile and Peru would have to win and hope Canada dropped points in the final outing. In their final group game, they held Chile to a goalless draw, resulting in Marsch’s side progressing to the knockout stage.
They were one of only two Concacaf nations alongside Panama to qualify from their respective groups. Against Chile, the Maple Leafs had 57% possession and had an xG of 1.08, double that of Chile’s. They had nine shots to Chile’s eight and created more big chances which they failed to convert.
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In their most recent match against Group B winners, Venezuela controlled more of the ball but the better chances fell to Canada. Marsch’s side had a total of 16 shots compared to Venezuela’s 15. Moreover, whereas Canada created four big chances, Venezuela failed to create any. In this match, Canada had an xG of 1.65 to Venezuela’s 0.86.
In addition, Universidad Catolica Rafael Romo was forced to make double the saves and claims than Crepeau. However, this fixture was decided on penalties, and after both sides scored two out of their four penalties, Venezuela missed their fifth in which substitute Ismaël Koné, who had only just moved to Marseille from Watford, scored.
Injury and Suspension News
Marsch currently has one injury to deal with. Tajon Buchanan was taken away in an ambulance after a significant lower leg injury during training. A regular for the national team, he now has 41 caps but will miss one of the most significant matches in his career.
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He recently visited Canada before their match against Venezuela and Shaffelburg held up his shirt when celebrating his goal in AT&T Stadium.
Canada Predicted Lineup vs Argentina
GK – Crepeau
LB – Davies
CB – Cornelius
CB – Bombito
RB – Johnston
CDM – Osorio
CDM – Eustaquio
CAM – Shaffelburg
CAM – Laryea
CAM – David
ST – Larin
