Argentina vs. Peru final score: Copa America 2024 result as Lautaro Martinez brace secures Group A top spot

It didn't matter that they were missing an injured Lionel Messi, as defending Copa America champions Argentina secured the top spot in Group A by beating Peru 2-0 through a brace from Lautaro Martinez.

With Messi left on the bench amidst hints of a thigh injury, Argentina remained as strong and convincing as ever, holding Peru to very little in front of Emi Martinez's goal and snatching the win on Lautaro Martinez's double.

Argentina made a number of changes having already secured a knockout stage spot, with Messi swapped out amongst several other alterations. Lautaro Martinez, who came off the bench in the first two games, also got the start and shot himself to the top of the Golden Boot list at this summer's tournament.

Peru needed to win the match for any chance at qualifying for the knockout stage, but their negative tactics were a losing formula and in the end they were punished for their stubborn approach.

MORE: Copa America 2024 bracket and results, updated LIVE | How to watch Copa America action

Argentina vs. Peru final score

Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL.
Referee: Cesar Ramos (MEX)

Starting lineups:

Argentina lineup: (4-3-3): Armani (GK) — Montiel, Pezzella (Quarta, 83'), Otamendi, Tagliafico — Lo Celso (E. Fernandez, 66'), Paredes, Palacios — Di Maria, La. Martinez, Garnacho (N. Gonzalez, 66').

Peru lineup (3-5-2): Gallese (GK) —Corzo, Zambrano, Callens — Polo, Pena, Cartagena (Castillo, 46'), Reyna (Zanelatto, 64'), Lopez — Guerrero (Lapadula, 56'), Flores (J. Rivera, 56').

MORE: Latest on Lionel Messi's injury

Argentina vs Peru live updates, highlights from Copa America 2024

FULLTIME: Argentina 2-0 Peru

A brace from Lautaro Martinez puts Argentina through to the knockout round as Group A winners, while Peru are eliminated!

No Messi, no problem for Argentina as they were tenacious against a desperate but ultimately toothless Peru, who had essentially nothing until the final few minutes.

90+5 min: Christian Cueva is booked for his angry approach to the referee.

89th min: Chance, Peru! Peru are so unlucky not to get a goal at the death, as a header from Franco Zanelatto comes off the inside of the left post and rolls harmlessly along the goal line and out! That's so close to Peru's first goal of the competition but they can't cash in with their first real chance of the game!

Four minutes of stoppage time are shown.

86th min: GOAL! ARGENTINA! Lautaro Martinez has himself firmly atop the Copa America top goal scorers list as he finishes off this match and ends Peru's tournament! It's a truly awful goal for Peru to concede as Lautaro settles it while sending Aldo Corzo to the turf with a deft first touch, with the Argentina striker putting the defender in a spin cycle.

There's a long VAR check to determine whether Lautaro commits a foul on Corzo by pushing him in the back before the long-ball landed in his lap, but the goal stands! Peru players are screaming in the face of the Mexican referee, who decides to book Carlos Zambrano for dissent in the process. There's very little contact, in truth, and it's not the reason for Corzo's inability to stay with the Argentine striker.

83rd min: Chance, Argentina! Pedro Gallese makes another big save on Lautaro Martinez! The shot comes from about 12 yards, just shaded to the left of the penalty spot, but Gallese stands tall to parry it away.

82nd min: Peru are looking to get forward more and more, but have had very little joy against the formidable Argentina defense. Peru are pressing high to win the ball back from Argentina, who are happy to just kick it around in their own half.

Lucas Martinez Quarta will come on to replace German Pezzella along the back, the final substitution for Argentina tonight.

69th min: PENALTY, ARGENTINA! Cesar Ramos points to the spot as a cutback by Gonzalo Montiel hits the outstretched arm of Castillo! It's really unfortunate for the defender who is sliding to block the lateral feed, and has his upper arm out for balance. If it hit his lower support arm, it would have been legal, but unfortunately that upper arm is not protected by the rules.

It all kicks off as two sides take their places for the spot-kick, with the assistant referees forced to come running out and break up the scuffle.

Finally, when things have calmed down, birthday boy Leandro Paredes steps up and.... OFF THE POST!! He smashes the effort with venom to the right, but can't hit the target as it crashes the woodwork. Gallese had guessed wrong but it doesn't matter!

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67th min: Leandro Parades receives a very stupid yellow card for blatantly pushing a Peru player well after the ball had run out of play and the two players were standing well out of touch. That's quite daft in a tournament where only two yellows are needed to see a player suspended.

64th min: One more Peru substitutions is made as Franco Zanelatto enters to replace Bryan Reyna. They have to win this match, but have shown absolutely no signs of troubling Argentina to this point.

A few moments later, Argentina make their first changes as Alejandro Garnacho and Gio Lo Celso are hauled off, replaced by Nico Gonzalez and Enzo Fernandez.

55th min: Chance, Argentina! Nicolas Tagliafico has the ball in the back of the net off a corner, but it's waved off for offside as Gio Lo Celso is clearly in an offside position obstructing the goalkeeper. It's harsh as Tagliafico's effort was from point-blank range and Gallese would have had a very difficult time getting to that regardless, but the referees have made up their minds.

There's a dual change for Peru after, as Gianluca Lapadula and Jose Rivera come on to replace Paulo Guerrero and Edison Flores, both players who have been booked. It's an inauspicious end for Guerrero's Copa America. He will likely see his time at the famed CONMEBOL competition come to an end.

53rd min: Edison Flores becomes the third Peru player to be booked after a really ugly challenge from behind on Exequiel Palacios. It's not quite enough for a red, but it sure is close, as he loses the physical battle and then goes in with both feet while also grabbing Palacios by his upper body.

47th min: GOAL! ARGENTINA! Lautaro Martinez has found the opener 75 seconds after the second half began! He times his run perfectly, splitting the center-backs and receiving the flicked ball from Angel Di Maria. He finishes the chipped effort over the top of Pedro Gallese who came off his line, and puts Argentina in front!

Lautaro heads to the bench in celebration and gets a big hug from injured superstar Lionel Messi.

Watch in USA:

2nd half kickoff: Argentina are actually out from the locker room on time, and the match is back under way in Miami. At some point, Peru has to come out of its shell, and it should give the game an entertaining finish.

Peru are making a substitution, as the booked Wilder Cartagena exits in favor of Jesus Castillo.

GROUP A WATCH: Canada 0-0 Chile

There's no score in the other game, which will please Peru, as a Canada win or draw eliminates them regardless of the result in this game.

Still, Peru will be dismayed to hear that Chile are down to 10 men after Gabriel Suazo was sent off for picking up two yellow cards inside the opening 30 minutes. Canada needed 88 minutes to score on 10-man Peru in their matchup last time out, so there's no guarantee Jesse Marsch's side finds the necessary breakthrough, but if they do, Peru are out regardless.

Then it'll be on Argentina to secure their necessary point and hold off Canada who would be shock group winners if they win and Argentina lose.

HALFTIME: Argentina 0-0 Peru

A somewhat cagey first half comes to an end as neither side has found a breakthrough. Peru came into the game with a clear plan to cut down the flow of the game, and they've executed it, much to Argentina's dismay. They picked up two yellow cards in the process, but kept a lid on Argentina's pressure forward.

Lionel Messi remains on the bench for Argentina, but it's hard to imagine they'll turn to him carrying an injury in a largely meaningless game. Two things remain true — first, Argentina top the group with just a point, so there's no real need for them to open it up and go for the win. The same cannot be said for Peru, who must win this match to have a chance at advancing, so they'll have to find ways to pressure Argentina at some point, with virtually no attacking pressure to this point.

44th min: Chance, Argentina! WHAT A SAVE BY PEDRO GALLESE! Gonzalo Montiel's smart cutback from out wide right falls to a charging Giovanni Lo Celso right on the penalty spot, but the Peruvian goalkeeper makes a stunning kick save to keep it out! Alejandro Garnacho's follow-up is then skies over the crossbar!

Just one minute of first-half stoppage time is shown.

41st min: Angel Di Maria has been the brightest Argentine attacker, and he forces another save from Pedro Gallese with a shot from outside the top-right corner of the penalty area. The effort is poor and bounces straight into the arms of the Peruvian goalkeeper.

36th min: Now Peru midfielder Wilder Cartagena is booked after being skinned by a silky move from Angel Di Maria.

28th min: The game's first yellow card is shown to Paulo Guerrero for an extremely late and unnecessary challenge from behind on Leandro Paredes. If this kind of play continues for Peru, they'll see a lot more of those across the final 60 minutes.

26th min: Chance, Argentina! The first real goal chance for Argentina as Leandro Paredes fires a deep free-kick on net, seeking the top-left corner, but Pedro Gallese makes a spectacular athletic save with one hand! What a stellar stop!

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22nd min: Lautaro Martinez gets clean through on goal, but his one-on-one shot from a tight angle is saved exceptionally well by Pedro Gallese. It doesn't matter, though, as Lautaro was miles offside on the feed from Angel Di Maria.

19th min: Finally, after the stop-start opening to this match, we're treated to an extended spell of play as both sides get forward in moments. No real goal-mouth action on either end so far.

13th min: The referee is unimpressed after Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese goes down after a corner where Nicolas Otamendi rises to challenge for the ball. There's very little contact, and while Gallese stays down for some time, the referee doesn't even allow the training staff to come onto the pitch, and he's allowed to continue after getting up slowly.

Moments later, Brian Reyna goes to the ground after being bear-hugged by Gonzalo Montiel. Peru are very clearly using these stoppages in play to waste as much time as possible.

10th min: We're only 10 minutes in and the temperature of this match is already rising significantly. Alejandro Garnacho is hacked on the left touchline by Aldo Corzo, and Argentina are furious with how Peru are approaching this match. Still, Cesar Ramos keeps his cards in his pocket, which is becoming a theme at this Copa America.

6th min: There's an early flashpoint as Lautaro Martinez draws a foul by Peruvian defender Carlos Zambrano who puts a throat in the Argentine forward. Peru players are incensed at the call for some reason, and surround the Mexican official with aggression.

Eventually, Angel Di Maria delivers the free-kick to the far post, and Pedro Gallese awkwardly puts it out for a corner. The delivery is taken short and recycled around to the far side before being sent in, but Di Maria puts his header over the crossbar.

2nd min: Argentina already have a corner as some miscommunication at the back results in an early set-piece. Angel Di Maria's delivery is headed clear, but Peru will likely be under fire for much of this game.

Kickoff: The ball is rolling in Miami! Argentina have already qualified for the knockout stage, and need just a point to confirm their place atop Group A. Peru, meanwhile, must win and have outside help if they are to advance to the quarterfinals.

Argentina vs Peru: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more

15 mins to kickoff: Which player would Argentina fans want to be stuck on a deserted island with? Not a question we have thought of until now, but Bleacher Report has decided to ask fans this question, and their logic is all over the place.

30 mins to kickoff: Lionel Messi was thought to be out of the match after comments made by Argentina assistant coach Walter Samuel who is filling in for Scaloni tonight, but he has actually been included on the bench for the match.

It's highly unlikely he would be risked in a meaningless game after suffering a muscle injury days before, but he could theoretically enter the game if needed.

45 mins to kickoff: Argentina are always the ones who garner the headlines, but this is a huge game for Peru. They need to win to remain alive in the Copa America. It's not all they require, as they also need Canada to suffer defeat to Chile, but for now, they can only control what they can control.

Anything less than a shock upset win and Peru are out.

1 hour to kickoff: Lineups have now been officially submitted. We knew what Argentina would look like well in advance thanks to the reports, but Peru have now seen their XI confirmed as well.

Legendary striker Paulo Guerrero has been given a chance by head coach Jorge Fossati who has decided to replace struggling forward Gianluca Lapadula with the 40-year-old. It's a big call as Peru have yet to score a single goal through two Copa America games.

1 hour 15 mins to kick: Argentina fans will get a look tonight at what life could look like after both Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria hve finally hung up his boots. With Messi out injured, Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho starts on the left opposite Di Maria, and the 19-year-old will play a significant role in the national team's future once Messi has departed for good.

He has yet to score a goal for Argentina in five international caps, playing just five total minutes in competitive fixtures to this point. Tonight could be a coming-out party for the youngster, but United fans are already well aware of what he can do.

1 hour 30 mins to kick: Lionel Messi isn't the only Lionel who will be missing for Argentina tonight. Head coach Lionel Scaloni is also absent, suspended due to his team's repeated violation of the tournament's timing rules. Argentina have repeatedly been criticized by opposing coaches for returning to the pitch after halftime significantly late, and Scaloni as well as Chile coach Ricardo Gareca were punished for it.

1 hour 45 mins to kick: Argentina insider Gaston Edul has already confirmed what Argentina's starting lineup will look like, and as expected, there will be major squad rotation with Argentina already confirmed to be qualified for the knockout stage.

Alejandro Garnacho will start on the wing, while Giovanni Lo Celso and Exequiel Palacios will get to play in midfield.

2 hours before kickoff: Hello, and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of Argentina's final group match against Peru. No Lionel, no party? We'll soon find out if Messi and Scaloni's absence has an impact on this talented side.

Argentina vs. Peru kickoff time

This Copa America 2024 match kicks off from Hard Rock Stadium on June 29 at 8:00 p.m. local time in Florida.

Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe:

Argentina vs. Peru lineups, starting 11, team news

Lionel Scaloni is set to shuffle his pack with qualification already assured, and as well as Messi, there could be other notable changes.

Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive goal in the win over Chile and was also on target from the bench against Canada. The Inter Milan striker could be set to start this one, while Scaloni has pledged to give minutes to players who are yet to feature in the campaign, meaning potential opportunities for the likes of Gio Lo Celso , Exequiel Palacios , and Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho .

Argentina starting lineup: (4-3-3): Armani (GK) — Montiel, Pezzella, Otamendi, Tagliafico — Lo Celso, Paredes, Palacios — Di Maria, La. Martinez, Garnacho.

Argentina subs (15): Armani (GK), Rulli (GK), Quarta, Li. Martinez, Acuna, Romero, Molina, Carboni, De Paul, G. Rodriguez, Mac Allister, E. Fernandez, N. Gonzalez, Messi, Alvarez.

For Peru, defender Miguel Araujo is suspended after his red card against Canada, with Anderson Santamaria set to come into the backline.

Injured Luis Advincula only makes the bench thanks to the Achilles issue suffered in the opener, meaning Marcos Lopez is likely to continue at full-back. Veteran 40-year-old striker Paolo Guerrero has been called upon to remedy the team's woes up front from the bench, replacing Gianluca Lapadula up front.

There are two other changes as Bryan Reyna enters in midfield and 35-year-old defender Aldo Corzo is turned to at the back.

Peru starting lineup (3-5-2): Gallese (GK) —Corzo, Zambrano, Callens — Polo, Pena, Cartagena, Reyna, Lopez — Guerrero, Flores.

Peru subs (14): Caceda (GK), D. Romero (GK), Santamaria, Abram, Advincula, Sonne, Carrillo, Cueva, Zanelatto, J. Castillo, Quispe, Lapadula, Grimaldo, J. Rivera.

Argentina vs. Peru live stream, TV channel

Here's how to watch this Copa America 2024 match across selected areas of the world's major regions:

USA: Argentina vs.Peru from Hard Rock Stadium will be televised in the United States on FS1, with a Spanish-language broadcast via TUDN USA and Univision. Those channels are available to stream on Fubo , who are offering a FREE seven-day trial . ViX is also providing a Spanish-language stream.

UK: Sunday morning's match will be shown in the UK on Premier Sports platforms.

Canada: This match will be shown on TSN, while RDS provide French-language coverage.

Australia: Australia's sole broadcaster for the Copa America is Optus Sport.