Already qualified but deprived of Messi, Argentina secured a 2-0 victory without forcing on Saturday against Peru for the third and final day of the Copa America group stage. While victory was imperative for the Peruvian side to hope for qualification, the Albiceleste played without pressure. It took a long time to get going, with the first big chance only arriving in the 44th minute with a strike down the middle from Giovani Lo Celso. But the former Parisian slips in his momentum and lacks power in his shot.
The Argentinians, led by Angel Di Maria, captain for the evening, finally found the back of the net after the break with a goal from Lautaro Martinez in the 47th minute. The Inter (Milan this time) striker scored with a little lob over the Peruvian goalkeeper. Another former Parisian, Leandro Paredes, tried to double the lead in the 72nd minute from a penalty, but his heavy strike crashed against the right post.
It was finally Lautaro Martinez who completely destroyed Peru’s hopes of qualification in the 86th minute. With this double, the 26-year-old striker scores his fourth goal in three matches in this edition of the Copa America. This sparkling form is promising even though Messi was spared. Discomforted in the right adductor, he was preserved by the staff.
Canada also qualified
The Argentines are full of confidence with nine points in three games and will meet the second-placed team in Group B in Houston (Texas) on Thursday evening.
In the other match in Group A, Chile also had to win to get ahead of Canada, the opponents of the evening, but ultimately did no better than a rather poor 0-0 in the game. The “Canucks” will face the leaders of Group B (currently Venezuela before the third day) on Friday in Arlington (Texas) at 8 p.m. local time (01:00 GMT Saturday).
