Scaloni and Martinez Criticize Atlanta’s Subpar Pitch Following Argentina’s Victory in Copa America Opener

Argentina initiated their Copa America crusade with a 2-0 victory over Canada. Despite their triumph, players expressed displeasure regarding the pitch conditions in Atlanta.

Goals by Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez sealed the deal for the title defenders and global victors during the tournament’s debut match on Thursday. Yet, the field’s condition stirred considerable discontent, particularly because the turf was in poor shape.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a venue shared between the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS’s Atlanta United, hosted the contest. Scaloni, notably peeved, critiqued the pitch’s last-minute grass installation, undertaken just before Copa America commenced. “It mirrors our game against Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup, albeit that pitch was somewhat better,” Scaloni remarked to the press. “Had we not triumphed, the pitch would have been seen as a mere scapegoat.”

“We’ve had half a year plus to prepare for this, and yet the turf was laid just two days ago,” he added, visibly frustrated. “It diminishes the spectacle. The stadium might look magnificent with synthetic turf, but with the current grass, it’s inadequate for such caliber of players.”

Goalkeeper Martinez also voiced his concerns to TyC Sports. “Facing a robust Canadian team on such a disastrous pitch posed challenges,” he said. “We must address this if we want Copa America to rival the European Championship.”

In another highlight, Argentina’s Lionel Messi set a record for most Copa America appearances, playing his 35th match. While he didn’t score, he assisted Martinez’s goal, marking his 17th assist in the competition. “Canada was formidable,” Messi shared with FOX. “They were tough and space was tight early on. The match was physically demanding, but we improved and took control in the second half.”