Photo: Reuters
Miami: Argentina defeated Peru 2-0 in Miami on Saturday to continue their unbeaten start at the Copa America, despite Lionel Messi's injury. Argentina won Group A and advanced to the quarterfinals thanks to two goals from Lautaro Martinez at Hard Rock Stadium.
Argentina made nine changes to their starting lineup at Hard Rock Stadium with Messi out due to a tight right hamstring and coach Lionel Scaloni serving a one-game ban.
However, despite the somewhat haphazard lineup, Argentina was always in command against a dismal Peru team that managed just one shot on goal in a one-sided match.
Martinez's first goal came shortly after halftime. Angel Di Maria's beautiful through ball set up the Inter Milan attacker, who gently lifted a delicate finish over advancing Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. Argentina had an opportunity to double their lead in the 72nd minute when Jesus Castillo handled in the area to concede a penalty.
However, Leandro Paredes' following spot kick hit the woodwork, leaving the score at 1-0. Martinez added a second in the 86th minute, latching on to a long pass forward and finishing past Gallese.
According to replays, Martinez appeared to shove defender Aldo Corzo during the build-up, but Peru's complaint was waived by referee Cesar Ramos, and the goal stood.
“It was tough in the first half because they were defending deep, but the first goal opened up the game,” Martinez said afterwards. “There’s a lot more to come from us.”
Martinez is enjoying his scoring streak, having now scored in four consecutive matches for Argentina.
“Every time I put on this shirt, every training session, every meal, every team talk, I enjoy it,” Martinez said.
Argentina's next opponent in the Houston quarterfinals will probably be Mexico or Ecuador, the team who finished second in Group B. The other Group A match on Saturday saw Canada hold Copa America champions Chile in 2015 and 2016 to a scoreless draw in Orlando, which was sufficient to advance the Canadians to the round of eight. After Gabriel Suazo was sent off for a second yellow card after just 27 minutes of play, Chile had a mountain to climb in order to advance past the Canadians into the knockout stages.
“It took a lot of hard work — it’s our first time in this competition and it’s not easy,” Canada captain Alphonso Davies said about his team’s advance to the last eight.
“There’s a lot of good teams in this competition and a lot of good players. But we stuck to our plan and we played well. We showed a lot of fight. We had to show our teeth at times, but overall we did well.”
In the quarterfinals, Canada will play the winners of Group B.