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Argentina football fans have some great news as head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed Lionel Messi's availability for the semi-final against Canada at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. La Albiceleste has fared well through the continental tournament so far and willed themselves to the semis.
The group stage was a breeze for the defending World Cup winners before a hard-fought win in the quarterfinals against Ecuador where goalkeeper Emi Martinez showed off his skills and mentality to give Argentina the upper hand in another penalty shootout. In the QF clash, Messi had a sub-par performance which ended with a missed spot-kick.
Tomorrow he will be part of the match: Scaloni or Lionel Messi
Speaking about Messi at the press conference on Monday ahead of the semi-final clash, He said, "Leo (Messi) is fine, he finished well, so tomorrow he will be part of the match, we are calm. His level looks good. He is essential for us." Scaloni also revealed that Messi could be joined by Angel Di Maria in the playing XI. He added, " It’s a possibility that Messi and Di María play together."
Each coach will have to do something different: Scaloni
Argentina will go head to head against Canada for the second time in the tournament after the opening match in Group A, where Messi and Co. registered a 2-0 win. Scaloni said this time he and Canada's coach Jesse Marsch will bring out "something different".
"All coaches take notes to correct mistakes and hurt our opponents," the 46-year-old manager said. "Each coach will have to do something different. We will try to have the ball and stop them from playing their game."
