It took Lionel Messi four games at the Copa America to score for Argentina, just a week after Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score at a major tournament for the first time in his career.

Lionel Messi has once again surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer of 2024 after breаking his goal drought in a 2-0 win over Canada at the Copa America.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has failed to score in three Copa America games, but he scored a crucial goal to help Argentina reach the final, where they will face either Uruguay or Colombia on July 15.Messi also literally stunneԀ Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau in the process of scoring, when Leo accidentally flicked the ball into his opponent’s face from a follow-up shot following Enzo Fernandez’s half-pass, half-shot.

Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez also opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, ending Canada’s pressure as they entered the game as underdogs. The North Americans fought hard to equalise but Messi’s goal gave Argentina a solid advantage at a crucial moment in the match.

It was Lionel Messi’s 109th international goal, surpassing former Iran star Ali Daei (108) and moving him second on the all-time list behind Cristiano Ronaldo (130). Messi is now just one win away from securing a third international honour. And unlike Ronaldo, he has already secured at least one goal for his country this summer.

Argentina are on a dominant run in defending their Copa America title in 2021, having conceded just one goal in the process. The reigning World Cup champions finished the group stage with a perfect record, but needed a penalty shootout to reach the semi-finals after a 1-1 draw with Ecuador.

Messi has wasted plenty of chances at Copa America 2024 and only managed one assist for Lautaro Martinez in the opening game. However, Leo silenced any criticism with a smart finish after a superb effort from Enzo Fernandez.

The Man of the Match award against Canada was a timely morale boost for Lionel Messi as he led his team to their fourth final in three years.

After Messi lifted the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, many fans felt he had finally proven himself to have surpassed Ronaldo in the ‘Greatest of All Time’ debate. Following CR7’s disappointing performance at EURO 2024 this summer, there were suggestions that the Al-Nassr striker should retire from the Portuguese national team.

Ronaldo had some chances to score but was ineffective, contributing to Portugal’s elimination against France in the quarter-finals. CR7 had an xG of 2.75 at EURO 2024, the second highest in the tournament before the semi-finals, but he failed to score in regular time.