Copa America: No Messi, no downside as Argentina downs Peru; Canada advance

Lautaro Martinez of Argentina celebrates after scoring a objective throughout the Copa America 2024 Group A match towards Peru in Miami Gardens, Florida on June 29, 2024.=
| Photograph Credit score: Getty Photographs

Argentina shrugged off the harm absence of Lionel Messi to take care of their good begin on the Copa America on June 29 with a 2-0 victory over Peru in Miami.

Lautaro Martinez scored twice on the Exhausting Rock Stadium to seal a win that ensured Argentina advance to the quarterfinals as Group A winners.

With Messi sidelined after complaining of a sore proper hamstring, and coach Lionel Scaloni serving a one-game suspension, Argentina made 9 modifications to their beginning XI on the Exhausting Rock Stadium.

However regardless of the makeshift-looking line-up, Argentina had been all the time in management towards a disappointing Peru facet who managed only one shot on objective throughout a one-sided encounter.

Martinez’s first objective got here simply after half-time. A chic via ball from Angel Di Maria launched the Inter Milan ahead, who calmly lifted a deft end over advancing Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.

Argentina had an opportunity to double their lead within the 72nd minute after Jesus Castillo dealt with within the space to concede a penalty.

However Leandro Paredes crashed his ensuing spot-kick towards the woodwork to go away the rating at 1-0.

Martinez then grabbed a second within the 86th minute, latching on to a protracted go ahead earlier than ending previous Gallese.

Replays indicated Martinez appeared to shove defender Aldo Corzo within the build-up however referee Cesar Ramos waved Peru’s protest and the objective stood.

“It was powerful within the first half as a result of they had been defending deep, however the first objective opened up the sport,” Martinez mentioned afterwards. “There’s much more to return from us.”

Martinez has now scored in 4 consecutive appearances for Argentina and is relishing his sizzling streak.

“Each time I placed on this shirt, each coaching session, each meal, each group speak, I get pleasure from it,” Martinez mentioned.

Argentina will now face the runner-up from Group B within the quarter-finals in Houston subsequent Thursday, most definitely both Ecuador or Mexico.

In Saturday’s different Group A sport, Canada held 2015 and 2016 Copa America champions Chile to a 0-0 attract Orlando, which was sufficient to see the Canadians into the final eight.

Chile wanted a victory to leapfrog the Canadians into the knockout rounds however had been left with a mountain to climb early within the sport when Gabriel Suazo was dismissed for a second yellow card after solely 27 minutes.

“It took a whole lot of arduous work — it’s our first time on this competitors and it’s not simple,” Canada captain Alphonso Davies mentioned about his group’s advance to the final eight.

“There’s a whole lot of good groups on this competitors and a whole lot of good gamers. However we caught to our plan and we performed nicely. We confirmed a whole lot of battle. We needed to present our enamel at instances, however total we did nicely.”

Canada will play the winners of Group B within the quarterfinals.