Jesse Marsch’s Canada have been the revelation of the 2024 Copa America, but Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni isn’t a big fan.
The former Leeds manager has guided his side into the semi-finals as the only North American representative left in the competition, and they face holders Argentina in New Jersey.
This will in fact be the second time the teams have met, having been drawn in the same group, with the world champions coming out on top with a 2-0 win.
During that match, Argentina took an extended half-time break, and after Marsch said they should be punished.
“Argentina should be fined, okay?” he said. “You can write that, [Argentinian outlets] Olé, La Nacion!”
Not only did they write it, but Argentina were fined, and their coach Scaloni was suspended for one match by CONMEBOL.
Revisiting the incident ahead of their re-match, Marsch said: “I was almost joking.
“I didn’t really expect Argentina to be penalised for being late in the second half. One think I didn’t want was for the manager [Lionel Scaloni] to be suspended.
“I did say it so that Conmebol would do something. But I was very surprised when they made that decision.”
Asked whether it could act as extra motivation, he added: “It may be a motivation, but I don’t think they need it.
“You can see it in the way they stand in every match, they are focused on winning the title.”
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