Copa America | Holders Argentina advance to final

Defending champions Argentina progressed through to the Copa America final with a 2-0 win over Canada in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Centre-back Cristian Romero earned his 35th cap and played the entire semi-final in New Jersey, with Giovani Lo Celso an unused substitute, as goals from Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi plus a clean sheet saw the holders through to their third consecutive major final.

In a repeat of the tournament opener which ended in the same scoreline at the group stage, striker Alvarez put La Albiceleste ahead with a composed finish on 22 minutes before captain Messi got off the mark at this year's competition to double the lead six minutes after half-time.

Canada did threaten late on as Tani Oluwaseyi missed two good opportunities but solid rearguard action with 'Cuti' at the heart of Argentina's defence kept their opponents out to move them one victory away from an outright record 16th Copa America title.

Lionel Scaloni's side will face either joint-record competition winners Uruguay or Colombia - who are in action tomorrow morning - in the showpiece final on Monday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida (kick-off 1am UK).