Copa America 2024: Fans Liken Messi to Lukaku After he Missed Chances for Argentina Against Canada

• Lionel Messi failed to find the back of the net in Argentina's opening game of the 2024 Copa America on Friday
• He wasted two big chances in the second half against Canada as the Argentina star spurned golden scoring opportunities
• Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martínez were on target as the defending champions registered a 2-0 victory over Canada

Lionel Messi has found himself the subject of a laughing stock after missing several key opportunities in Argentina's match against Canada.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner squandered two clear chances, prompting fans to draw comparisons between the legendary forward and Romelu Lukaku, who has also faced scrutiny for missed sitters in high-stakes games.

Argentina commenced their Copa America title defense against Canada at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

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The reigning champions clinched the Copa America title in 2021 by narrowly defeating Brazil, marking their first tournament win since 1993 and giving Messi his long-awaited first international trophy.

And in their opening game, La Albiceleste emerged victorious with a 2-0 win over Canada, thanks to second-half goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, the Guardian reported.

Fans mock Messi after missing chances vs Canada

Despite the win, the key talking points were Messi's unusual performance, as he missed several clear scoring opportunities.

Twice during the game, the Inter Miami captain found himself in one-on-one situations but failed to convert.

These rare misses led to a flurry of activity on social media, with fans humorously comparing the 36-year-old to Lukaku, known for his high-profile missed chances in crucial moments.

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Meanwhile, Sports Brief also reported that Messi has become the most-capped player in Copa America history, marking his 35th appearance in the tournament's opening match against Canada on Thursday.

Before the 2021 Copa America final in Brazil, where Argentina clinched victory, the 36-year-old had jointly held this record with Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone, each amassing 34 caps.

Messi's Copa America appearances have spanned seven tournaments, starting from the 2007 edition held in Venezuela.