WATCH: “How can he make it look so easy?” – Lionel Messi’s outrageous pass to Lautaro Martinez in Copa America opener leaves fans in awe

Lionel Messi did not score against Canada. Instead, the No.10 pulled off a sublime assist for Lautaro Martinez.

WATCH: “How can he make it look so easy?” – Lionel Messi’s outrageous pass to Lautaro Martinez in Copa America opener leaves fans in awe

Lionel Messi is now the most successful footballer in the history of the sport (Via X/@433)

The 2024 Copa America gets underway with a win for defending champions Argentina. Lionel Messi and co. got off to a winning start as they defeated Canada by two unanswered goals in the second half.

As usual, Argentina’s prolific talisman put up a commendable performance to seal the win for La Albiceleste. His beautiful assist for Lautaro Martinez grabbed headlines on social media.

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Lionel Messi failed to get on the scoresheet but made sure to leave his mark on the tournament opener through a sublime assist for teammate Lautaro Martinez. The Argentine carried the ball up until the opposition’s penalty area before releasing it just in time for Martinez to be through on a 1v1 with the opposition keeper. The Inter Milan striker did not need a second touch to steady himself as he beat Maxime Crepeau.

Messi marked a record seventh appearance at a Copa America tournament and sealed the occasion with an assist. Despite his goal contribution, the 36-year-old did miss a couple of golden opportunities to open his account.

Argentina breeze past Canada in Copa America opener as fans praise Lionel Messi

The defending champions were up against Alphonso Davies and co. as the 2024 edition of the Copa America got underway. Neither side were ready to play it safe as the Albiceleste got to work in the opening minutes. The Canadian defense stood firm in the first half as Lionel Messi, Leandro Paredes and Julian Alvarez all tried their luck.

Julian Alvarez
Julian Alvarez got Argentina off the mark at the 2024 Copa America (Via X/@brfootball)

The second half however, was much more open, with either side getting a fair share of chances to take the lead. Argentina finally broke through the Canadian back line when Alexis Mac Allister was put through on goal by Messi. Even though Crepeau took him out by rushing out of his area, then ball fell invitingly to Alvarez, who made no mistake to tap it into an empty net.

Messi’s assist in the second half sent social media into a frenzy, with fans hailing his ability to pick passes from out of nowhere. Many complained about his finishing against Canada, though no one had a bad remark regarding his passing. A fan pointed out that Messi still manages to have a good game despite not scoring, unlike his ‘rival’, Cristiano Ronaldo.

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