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Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has blasted the pitch in the team's Copa America 2024 opening game. The reigning champions took on Canada in the opening fixture at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday (June 20).
La Albicelete secured a 2-0 victory in the game to begin their campaign on a winning note. Martinez was nevertheless disappointed with the quality of the pitch and shared his displeasure with the press.
The Aston Villa custodian complained about the bounciness of the pitch:
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"The pitch was a disaster; they put sod on top of synthetic turf, and it felt like a trampoline every time we received the ball. That's when you realize the obstacles they put in our way, but we are a team that keeps going, going, and going.”
Martinez will be proud of his display despite the difficult circumstances in the Copa America 2024 opener. He kept a clean sheet and gave a good account of himself with two saves and an 88% pass accuracy.
Argentina next face Chile at the MetLife stadium in New Jersey on June 26 in their next Copa America 2024 fixture.
How Emiliano Martinez's Argentina fared in their Copa America 2024 opening day victory
Argentina coasted to a comfortable 2-0 victory in their Copa America 2024 opening game against Canada. One of the standout performers in the match was Aston Villa custodian Emiliano Martinez, who kept a clean sheet.
Both teams competed intensely in the first half, but neither could find the back of the net in the opening 45 minutes. The World Cup winners, though, came back more determined in the second half and drew first blood.
Argentina opened the scoring, thanks to Julian Alvarez in the 49th minute. The Manchester City forward was found by Alexis McAllister in the box and duly found the bottom right corner of the net
La Albiceleste doubled their lead in the 88th minute to make the result secure through Lautaro Martinez. The Inter Milan striker was assisted by the legendary Lionel Messi who found him with a neat through ball to wrap up the points.
The game proved an engaging opening day spectacle for Copa America 2024 with the two teams taking 29 shots.
