Lionel Messi's through ball led to Julian Alvarez's goal in the 49th minute, and then he assisted Lautaro Martinez's goal in the 88th, as Argentina began the defense of their Copa America title with a 2-0 victory over Canada on Thursday night.

Argentina are seeking their third straight major title after winning the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup.

With South America's championship moved to the United States for the second time, Messi set a Copa America record with his 35th game, one more than Chile's Sergio Livingstone from 1941-53. Messi also extended his own playmaking record with his 18th assist.

Messi made the first goal after a throw-in when he headed a pass through the defense for Alexis Mac Allister. The midfielder side-footed a pass to Alvarez while crashing into onrushing goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau about eight yards out. Alvarez had a virtually empty net and kicked the ball in over a sliding defender for his eighth goal in 32 international appearances.

Messi added to his Copa America record when he ran through the center of the midfield and rolled a perfectly weighted pass to Martinez, who had entered in the 76th minute and slotted it past Crepeau for his 25th international goal.

Argentina had a 12-3 advantage on shots in the second half and Messi failed to convert on a pair of excellent chances. Crepeau made a diving stop in the 65th minute and Messi's attempt off the rebound was blocked by the head of defender Derek Cornelius. Messi put a chip wide after he came in alone on Crepeau in the 79th.

Argentina will play Chile on Tuesday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and then close the first round against Peru on June 29 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Canada will face Peru on Tuesday in Kansas City, Kansas, and finish the group stage against Chile on June 29 in Orlando, Florida.