Celtic’s Alistair Johnston and the Canadian national team faced a tough defeat against Argentina in the Copa America semi-finals.
In what was a historic run for Canada, reaching the semi-finals for the first time, they were stopped by a strong Argentine side led by Lionel Messi, who scored his first goal of the tournament.
The match, held at MetLife Stadium, saw Argentina secure a 2-0 victory with Messi’s goal complementing an earlier strike from Julián Álvarez. Despite the loss, Canada demonstrated some great quality, particularly in the early stages of the game where they matched Argentina’s intensity.
Johnston showcased his defensive prowess with a solid performance. He achieved an impressive 87% passing accuracy and maintained 100% success in his dribbles. Additionally, his defensive contributions included three clearances and six recoveries, highlighting his importance to the team’s backline.
Reflecting on the match, Johnston expressed his pride in representing Canada, sharing on his Instagram that he is a “proud Canadian.”
His focus now shifts to the third-place playoff, where Canada will face either Uruguay or Colombia. This match provides another opportunity for Johnston to shine on the international stage before he rejoins Celtic for their pre-season tour in the United States.
