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Lionel Messi is expected to start when Argentina play their second group game against Chile at the 2024 Copa America on Tuesday, June 25, at the MetLife Stadium. The defending champions will want to build on their victory against Canada and inch closer to qualification.
La Albiceleste recorded a 2-0 win over Canada in their opening game of the showpiece event. Messi was not amongst the goals but provided an assist to Lautaro Martinez in the dying minutes of the game. Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez was the other goalscorer on that occasion.
Lionel Messi played the full 90 minutes in the game against Canada. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, however, should once again start and lead his side's attack against Chile on Tuesday.
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Messi was partnered alongside Angel Di Maria and Julian Alvarez in attack for their previous fixture. Lionel Scaloni could go with the same attacking lineup or could use other attacking options like Martinez, Alejandro Garnacho or Nico Gonzalez.
Argentina are the only side to win their opening game at the 2024 Copa America from Group A. Chile and Peru played out a 0-0 draw in their first game of the tournament.
Messi has an excellent international record, scoring 108 goals for La Albiceleste from a total of 183 caps. However, only five of those goals have come against Chile over his illustrious career with the three-time world champions.
Chile have defeated Argentina and Lionel Messi in two Copa America finals in recent history
Lionel Messi and Argentina do not have the best record against Chile in recent Copa America finals. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winners lost two consecutive Copa America finals to Chile back in 2015 and 2016. The latter was played in the United States, just like the current edition of the tournament.
In both finals, Chile defeated Messi's side in a penalty shootout with both games ending 0-0 after extra time. Lionel Messi famously missed his spot kick during the 2016 final which took place at the MetLife Stadium, the venue for the two side's meeting at this year's tournament.
That was one of Messi's lowest periods in an Argentina shirt. Prior to losing the two finals against Chile, Argentina also suffered defeat to Germany in the FIFA World Cup final.
Lionel Messi, however, has since guided his nation to the 2021 Copa America title, the 2022 Finalissima, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
