Lionel Messi had a front row seat on the Argentine national team’s bench Saturday night as the reigning world champions finished Copa America group play with another victory.
Lautaro Martinez scored goals in the 47th and 86th minutes, and Argentina beat Peru 2-0 at Hard Rock Stadium in the final group play match for Group A without Messi in action.
“Of course, we always want to have Leo in our team, but when Leo is not there, we do our best,” said Argentine assistant coach Walter Samuel, after coaching in place of suspended head coach Lionel Scaloni. “Today, we proved we can play without him.”
Argentina entered the match with a Copa America quarterfinal berth already secured. They await the winner of Sunday’s match between Mexico and Ecuador, which will settle second place in Group B.
Argentina’s next match is July 4 at NRG Stadium in Houston.
“We have three wins in three games in the group stage and, well, nothing. Congratulations. Let’s recover and think about what’s to come,” said Martinez, who scored four of Argentina’s five goals in group play.
Lionel Messi remains day to day with injury
Messi – listed as a substitute on Argentina’s roster, but wearing blue shorts unlike Argentina’s white uniform – did not play as he continues to recover from a right groin/adductor injury he sustained in the club’s previous match against Chile last Tuesday.
Samuel said Messi’s strain is improving, but he remains day to day. Messi swiftly left the stadium, smiling while walking with his Argentine teammates through the postgame mixed media zone, appearing to walk with a normal stride without any visible limitation.
“He’s getting better. But it’s been a couple of days and it’s too early to tell,” Samuel said. “We want to talk to the doctors and listen to them.”
Scaloni, Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach, watched the match from a suite inside the stadium, serving a one-game suspension for Argentina taking too long to return to the pitch when the second half began against Chile at MetLife Stadium.
Martinez shines in Argentina’s win
The Argentines were first on the pitch when the second half began Saturday night, evident by Martinez’s goal in the first two minutes after halftime, on an assist by Angel Di Maria.
After the score, Martinez embraced Messi with a hug on the sidelines.
Martinez wasn’t done scoring in the final minutes.
With a stiff-arm and a chip shot over Peru goalie Pedro Gallese, Martinez added his second goal of the match in the 86th minute.
It may have been a disappointment to fans, not getting the chance to see Messi shine in his new hometown. But still, the sold-out crowd cheered loudly as Messi was shown on four big screens inside the stadium.
If Argentina reaches the Copa America final, it’ll be played at this stadium again on July 14.
Argentina sweeps group play, moves on to quarterfinals
After wins against Canada, Chile and Peru, only two matches stand in Argentina’s path to another Copa America final.
And Messi’s potential return from his lingering injury, of course.
“It was important for us to finish first, to finish with nine points,” Argentina’s Leandro Paredes said of sweeping group play. “It was what we wanted, and we were able to achieve it.”
Added Samuel: “We’re extremely pleased with the first round, and now comes the next round. We need to be ready for that.”
86' Lautaro Martinez goal: Argentina 2, Peru 0
Lautaro Martinez has done it again, scoring in the 86th minute to give Argentina a 2-0 lead.
It’s the second goal of the night, and fourth goal in group stage for Martinez, who chipped the shot over Peru goalie Pedro Gallese after giving a stiff-arm to a defender.
Source: USA Today
BDST: 1204 HRS, JUNE 30, 2024
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