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Lautaro Martinez scores two goals, Argentina tops Peru without Messi to close Copa America group stage
By Safid Deen, USA TODAY,
21 hours ago
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — 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.
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.”
Lautaro Martinez has done it again, scoring in the 86 th 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.
Argentina had two more chances toward the net, but to no avail as the first half comes to an end.
Giovani Lo Celso didn’t have enough juice on his kick, and Peru goalie Pedro Gallese gets his third save – more than he’s had in Peru’s first two matches.
Alejandro Garnacho’s kick on the rebound sailed over the net.
Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni, serving a one-game suspension, is watching the Peru match from a suite in the stadium. Scaloni is not coaching because of a Conmebol one-game suspension .
Angel Di Maria attempted a header in the early minutes, while Alejandro Garnacho attempted a shot toward net, but he was off-balanced and his shot was blocked.
Argentina already has four corner kicks in the match, and 75 percent possession, according to ESPN.
Messi watches from bench as Argentine national anthem plays
Argentina fans sang in unison as their national anthem played inside Hard Rock Stadium before the match.
Lionel Messi’s MLS team is in action tonight on the road against Nashville at 8:30 p.m. Inter Miami hopes to maintain first place in the MLS Eastern Conference. The match is available via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV .
Messi, Argentina arrive to Peru match at Hard Rock Stadium
With a smile and a Mas+ by Messi drink in hand, Lionel Messi walked into Hard Rock Stadium alongside his Argentine teammates before the match.
Argentina and Peru fans in full force before Copa America match
The parking lots at Hard Rock Stadium were filled with enthusiastic fans pregaming for Argentina and Peru.
As Group A leaders, Argentina awaits the second-place team in Group B, which will be decided when Mexico and Ecuador play on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Lionel Messi during the game against Chile. Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY Sports
Scaloni is not coaching the Argentine national team vs. Peru because of a Conmebol one-game suspension . The reason: Argentina did not re-enter the pitch fast enough in the second half of its win over Chile last Tuesday. Argentina’s federation was fined $15,000.
What did Messi say about his injury?
Messi hoped his injury was "nothing serious" when speaking to media after playing the entirety of Argentina’s win against Chile. He also said he was dealing with a sore throat and fever during the club’s first week of Copa América action.
Why Messi’s absence is disappointing for fans?
Argentine fans have flooded the streets of downtown Atlanta and New York City, and camped outside the national team’s hotels for the first two matches, including Messi’s 37 th birthday last Monday . Fans also had the Peru match Saturday circled to descend on Miami to watch Messi in action.
How has Peru performed during Copa América?
Peru has been held scoreless in its two Copa America games, playing to a draw against Chile, but falling 1-0 to Canada.
How has Messi's injury affected Copa América ticket sales?
The average listed ticket price for the Argentina vs. Peru match decreased 22% after Messi’s injury, Vivid Seats told USA TODAY Sports on Friday . This match was the most in-demand ticket of the tournament with a $515 average ticket sold price – nearly $100 more than the Argentina vs. Chile match and nearly $200 more than the tournament opener against Canada.
Messi leaves door open to play in World Cup
Messi remains the face of Argentina’s national team. He’ll be the star attraction in Copa América. And he’s open to playing in the next World Cup in 2026 — if his body holds up.
“It depends on how I feel, how I am physically and being realistic with myself. And to know if I am up to the task of being able to compete and help the colleagues next to me,” Messi said . “There's a while left and I don't know how I'm going to be at that moment.”
Messi says he’s aware ‘there’s not a lot of time left’
“I’ve done this all of my life. I love playing ball. I enjoy the training, the day to day, the games. Yeah, there’s a bit of fear that it’s all ending. It’s always there,” Messi told ESPN Argentina .
“It was a difficult step leaving Europe to come [to the United States] The fact we won the World Cup helped. It helped a lot, to see things in another way. But I try not to think about [retiring]. I try to enjoy it. I do that more now because I’m aware that there’s not a lot of time left.”
Messi continues to be big business off soccer pitch
Messi has a new drink, Mas+, debuting in the U.S. He was the hilarious punchline in a "Bad Boys" movie promo with movie stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. And if soccer fans aren’t already, they’ll be singing “O-Lays, O-Lays, O-Lays, O-Lays” after his commercials for Lays chips and other companies air all summer long.
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