The Canadian Men’s National Team shocked the football world as they advanced to the Copa America semifinal in their tournament debut. However, their Cinderella story came to an end on Tuesday night as they were shut out by reigning World Cup champions Argentina.
While Canada was outmatched on the pitch by an uber-talented squad, not everyone was impressed with the play of Argentina, especially when it came to fouls called against Les Rouges.
Referees called a total of five fouls against Argentina throughout their 2-0 victory. In contrast, Canada committed 15 fouls over the 90 minutes.
During the course of the game, soccer fans took to social media to express their frustration, accusing Argentine players of taking dives and embellishing.
“The ref is buying all the shit Argentina are selling,” one frustrated fan wrote.
The ref is buying all the shit Argentina are selling #CanMNT #ARGCAN @footy_prime
— Craig Forrest (@craigforrest1) July 10, 2024
Another urged officials to start punishing diving.
That Canada Argentina game was a great example of why players dive:
Fouls given for minimal contact on defenders.
Nobody getting booked for diving.
Start punishing this nonsense and players will stop diving.
— Ciarán (@RealCiarbo) July 10, 2024
Meanwhile, fan frustration hit its peak when Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul fell on the pitch, exaggerating the extent of tackles, multiple times.
One X user called the player’s antics “embarrassing.”
Embarrassing from De Paul. Get this nonsense out of the game.
pic.twitter.com/UkvZxEW3oM— Erm (@CFCErm) July 10, 2024
Someone else sarcastically asked if he’d recover from a Stephen Eustaquio tackle in which he was barely touched.
Is he going to be okay? pic.twitter.com/GWvA4QxJwF
— Andrew McInnis (@McInnispicks) July 10, 2024
One user suggested a rule change based on the repeated incidents, arguing that those caught diving via instant replay should be penalized.
I’d kick the ball at De Paul 7 on Argentina too. He has taken a half dozen dives in the past few minutes. Then writhes in (fake) agony.
Soccer has to eliminate the nonstop fake injuries. When the reply shows no contact was made the faker should get a yellow card#CopaAmerica
— Nachozempic 💊🕴🏼🇺🇦 (@kickitupanacho) July 10, 2024
Another jokingly turned the moment Canada midfielder Ismael Kone received a yellow card for tapping the ball into De Paul’s back a Canadian Heritage Minute.
I have no idea how players like De Paul can look themselves in the mirror. It's really sad and pathetic.pic.twitter.com/4b2abnrYut
— JABO Vancouver (@jabo_vancouver) July 10, 2024
Even Spanish-speaking users got in on the action, making memes of their own.
de paul es este pic.twitter.com/kMtlzOXDLO
— mila (@sunsetsprn) July 10, 2024
Todos pidiendo roja por la patada que le metieron a De Paul
De Paul en la repetición pic.twitter.com/4ODz72TV4a
— Señorita M0skigna Fan (@ladymoskigna) July 10, 2024
Finally, one fan offered Canadian players a piece of advice for their next international match, suggesting they use similar tactics.
Canada's soccer teams needs to learn how to embellish and dive more like the Argentina's club
— Trading Bird Project (@TradingBProject) July 10, 2024
With 2021 Copa America winners Argentina securing their spot in Sunday’s final, Canada will face the loser of tonight’s Uruguay-Colombia game on Saturday in a bronze medal game.
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