Argentina predicted lineup vs Canada: Copa America 2024 semi-finals
- Argentina vs Canada kicks off on July 9 at 8 p.m. ET
- La Albiceleste survived a penalty shootout against Ecuador to advance to the semi-finals
- Lionel Scaloni is expected to make several changes to his starting XI
Argentina's predicted lineup against Canada for the Copa America 2024 semi-finals will look different to the XI that started in the quarter-finals.
Argentina were not at their best against Ecuador in the Copa America 2024 quarter-finals. La Albiceleste only scored one goal from a set piece, and managed just two shots on target. Had Emiliano Martinez not made two crucial saves in the penalty shootout, the reigning champions could have been on the wrong end of a major upset.
After the underwhelming performance, Lionel Scaloni has vowed to make several changes to his lineup for the semi-finals. Argentina already defeated Canada 2-0 in the group stage, and now, the only thing standing in their way of a second straight Copa America final is Jesse Marsch's side.
Here's what Argentina's starting XI could look like against Canada at MetLife Stadium.
Argentina predicted lineup vs Canada (4-3-3)
GK: Emiliano Martínez - Martinez might have conceded his first goal of the tournament against Ecuador, but the Aston Villa man proved he is the best keeper at Copa America 2024 after making two crucial saves in the penalty shootout.
RB: Nahuel Molina - Molina will get his 42nd cap for Argentina on Tuesday, slotting in at right-back over Gonzalo Montiel.
CB: Cristian Romero - Romero is arguably Argentina's most consistent player at any position.
CB: Lisandro Martínez - Martinez has excelled alongside Romero this summer, and the defender even scored his first international goal in the quarter-finals.
LB: Nicolas Tagliafico - Tagliafico has started all but one game for Argentina at Copa America 2024. The left-back is one of the players Lionel Scaloni could change, though, now that Marcos Acuna is fully fit.
CM: Rodrigo De Paul - Although De Paul has had a few poor performances for La Albiceleste this summer, the midfielder's physicality and defensive prowess will help Argentina control the game against Canada.
CM: Leandro Paredes - Enzo Fernandez got the start over Paredes in the quarter-finals, but the Chelsea player failed to leave an impression. Expect Scaloni to make a change in the midfield, likely giving a freshly rested Paredes the nod alongside De Paul and Mac Allister.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister - Mac Allister has easily been Argentina's best midfielder at Copa America 2024, and the Liverpool man should have a lot of success against Jesse Marsch's side.
RW: Angel Di Maria - Di Maria has not started since Argentina's opening group stage match, and the winger's quality and vision in the final third has been greatly missed.
ST: Lionel Messi - Messi recovered from a slight groin injury in time for the quarter-finals, but the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner could not get anything going against Ecuador, and he missed Argentina's first penalty in the shootout. Expect the captain to have a huge bounce back game.
LW: Julian Alvarez - Alvarez got benched last match in favor for a different look up top, featuring Lautaro Martinez and Nico Gonzalez. The Manchester City man's chemistry with Messi simply cannot be denied, though, and his absence was felt every time La Albiceleste tried to find the back of the net from open play.