Third game, third win: Argentina storm into the quarter-finals of the Copa America without a blemish, despite the absence of superstar Lionel Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni against Peru. Lautaro Martinez is in the spotlight instead
Argentina were already through to the quarter-finals after two games, but the world champions rounded off the Copa America group stage perfectly with a 2-0 win over Peru at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. And that despite the absence of the two Lionels
Superstar Lionel Messi was absent due to a thigh injury he sustained in the second group game against Chile (1:0). The captain of the defending champions was therefore rested after their place in the quarter-finals had already been decided before the last game. And coach Scaloni was not allowed to sit on the bench because he had been suspended by CONMEBOL due to his team’s repeated late returns from half-time in recent matches
Paredes fails from the spot, but Martinez scores a brace
Scaloni was replaced by assistant coach Walter Samuel, with Lautaro Martinez taking over for Messi on the pitch. After Argentina had struggled against the Peruvians before the break and went into the break 0-0, Martinez opened the second half with a 1-0 lead (47′). Angel di Maria finished off a fine combination through the midfield with a pinpoint pass to Martinez, who was through on goal and kept his nerve to finish
Leandro Paredes hit the post with a penalty in the 72nd minute, but this did nothing to change the world champions’ victory. Instead, Martinez made it 2-0 four minutes from time with a lob from a long pass. The Inter Milan goalscorer thus sealed the perfect group stage without conceding a goal or losing a point
It is still questionable whether Messi will be available again in the quarter-finals. Although the 37-year-old is gradually improving, the Argentinians will “continue to listen to him and the doctors”, as Samuel said with regard to Messi.
Canada will also continue
In addition to Argentina, Canada, guests at the South American Championship for the first time, have also progressed to the next round. A 0-0 draw against Chile was enough for the Canadians to finish second in Group A.
