Argentina secured a spot in the Copa América quarterfinals with a convincing 2-0 victory over Peru, even without the presence of star player Lionel Messi, who was resting due to a leg injury. Lautaro Martínez was the hero of the match, scoring both goals to lead his team to victory. The first goal came in the 46th minute, thanks to a well-placed pass from Ángel Di María. Martínez’s second goal in the 86th minute sealed the win for Argentina.
Despite missing Messi and their coach Lionel Scaloni, who was suspended, Argentina dominated the game with 74% possession and six shots on goal. The team made nine changes to the starting lineup but still managed to control the game and secure the win. The match was played in front of a crowd of 64,000 fans at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
In another Group A match, Canada also booked their spot in the quarterfinals with a goalless draw against Chile. Both Argentina and Canada will now wait to find out their opponents in the knockout stage as Group B matches conclude.
Although Argentina seemed to score a third goal through Nicolás Tagliafico in the 55th minute, it was disallowed by the officials due to a foul on the goalkeeper. The team also missed a penalty opportunity when Leandro Paredes hit the post. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made a crucial save to preserve the clean sheet for Argentina.
On the other hand, Peru struggled to find the back of the net once again, failing to score for the third consecutive match in the tournament. The team has only scored in three of their last 14 games, showcasing their offensive struggles in recent times. Peru will be looking to regroup and bounce back in their next matches to improve their performance.
As the Copa América progresses, fans can expect more thrilling matches and exciting moments from their favorite teams. Stay tuned for updates and news on the tournament as the action unfolds.