World champions Argentina began their quest for another Copa America title with a 2-0 win over Canada.
The match was played in front of 70,564 spectators at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, USA.
Julián Alvarez put Argentina ahead in the 49th minute. A combination of inspired goalkeeping by Canada's Max Crepeau and Lionel Messi's surprising lack of precision in front of goal kept Canada in the game until Lautaro Martinez settled the dispute in the 88th minute.
Backed by a huge crowd wearing light blue and white striped jerseys, Argentina thoroughly deserved the success.
In the first half, Alvarez, preferred to Lautaro as Messi's strike partner, had the first opportunity to score when he pounced on an attempted clearance from Ismael Kone and broke away from the defence. But the Manchester City striker took a heavy touch and Canada guard Max Crepeau was able to catch the ball.
Messi came close to opening the scoring, but his shot from the left went wide of the goal.
While the Argentines took advantage of gaps in the Canadian defence, Jesse Marsh's side still struggled in midfield and created some half-hearted chances for themselves.
Alphonso Davies and Liam Millar had shots blocked in the box and in the 30th minute Tajon Buchanan fired over from a narrow angle.
However, the first difficult save of the game came in the 40th minute when Maxime Crepeau saved Alexis McAllister's header from Angel Di Maria's cross.
Argentina needed their goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to keep out Steven Eustaquio's powerful strike from close range.
It took Argentina less than four minutes into the second half to break the deadlock - Messi crossed to Mack Allister, who was brought down by Crepeau, but before the referee blew his whistle, Alvarez put the ball into the net.
Within minutes, Alvarez had another chance, but this time he was denied by Crepo.
Jesse Marsh brought in winger Jakob Schaffelburg and switched to an attacking 4-3-3 formation. The Argentinian defense was put under pressure and a good counterattack ended in misses by Messi.
Two minutes before the end of regular time, Argentina decided the match.
Messi made another clinical pass in defense and this time Lautaro made no mistake as he got away from the onrushing Crepo and slotted the ball into the net to make it 2-0. I BGNES
