Messi Sits, Martinez Scores Twice, Argentina Beats Peru 2-0 to Secure Top Spot in Copa America Group A

Lionel Messi Absent but Fans Show Up in Droves

Despite Lionel Messi not suiting up for Argentina on Saturday night, tens of thousands of fans filled the sold-out Difficult Shake Stadium, donning his iconic No. 10 jersey. The Albiceleste delivered a solid performance, beating Peru 2-0 to clinch first place in Copa America Group A. The goals came from Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez, who has now scored four times in three games.

Rotating the Squad for Copa America Quarterfinal Preparation

With a quarterfinal spot already secured, Argentina's coaches made nine changes to the starting lineup. Messi sat out the game to recover from an upper right thigh injury, hoping to be fit for the knockout rounds starting Thursday in Houston. Messi joined his teammates on the bench, and whenever the stadium screens showed him, the crowd of 64,972 erupted with chants of “Messi! Messi!” His absence was a calculated decision by the coaching staff to ensure his availability for the more crucial stages of the tournament.

Lautaro Martinez Shines in Messi's Absence

Lautaro Martinez was the star of the show, scoring both of Argentina's goals. His first came just two minutes into the second half, and he added a second in the closing minutes. Argentina dominated the game, maintaining 74% possession and recording six shots on target compared to Peru's one. The reigning Copa America and World Cup champions displayed superior pace and passing throughout the match. Martinez's performance not only secured the victory but also showcased Argentina's depth and versatility in attack.

Argentina's Coach Scaloni Suspended, Assistant Samuel Steps In

Head coach Lionel Scaloni was absent due to a one-game suspension for delaying his team’s entrance for the second half in their first two games against Canada and Chile. Assistant coach Walter Samuel stepped in and expressed satisfaction with the result and the opportunity to assess players who hadn't played yet. “Our players stayed calm and scored in the second half. We have confidence in all 26 players we brought and are proud of this win,” Samuel said. The suspension of Scaloni was a minor setback, but Samuel’s ability to lead the team smoothly demonstrated the strong coaching unit Argentina possesses.

Messi's Recovery and Argentina's Optimism for Copa America 2024

Regarding Messi's condition, Samuel stated it’s too early to determine if he’ll be ready for the quarterfinals. “Leo was in the locker room with us, he looked better, but it’s premature to talk about his status for the next game,” Samuel added. Defender German Pezzella was hopeful, saying, “Hopefully he can get to 100 percent quickly. He gives us the feeling that he’ll be with us for the next game.” The entire squad remained optimistic about Messi’s recovery, understanding the pivotal role he plays not just on the field but also in boosting team morale.

Angel Di Maria Leads in Messi's Absence

Angel Di Maria, set to retire from the national team after this Copa America, wore the captain’s armband. He shared a touching moment before the game with his young daughter, Mia, who walked out hand in hand with him for the national anthem. “Unfortunately, I only wear it when something is wrong with Leo, but it was a special night,” Di Maria said. He also highlighted the support they’ve received from fans across various venues. “We always feel like the home team,” he said. “The stadiums are full wherever we go, and that’s why we want to give the fans the best in every game to make them happy. We know the tickets are not cheap and it isn’t easy to get to where we are, so to be able to give them some joy is very important for us.”

Major Lineup Changes Demonstrate Argentina's Depth

With a quarterfinal spot secured, Argentina's lineup saw major changes. Only goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and defender Nicolas Tagliafico remained from the previous game. The new starting XI included Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Gonzalo Montiel, Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Lautaro Martinez, Alejandro Garnacho, and Di Maria. Di Maria emphasized the importance of the younger players stepping up, maintaining the team’s performance level. “Our team has not changed since the World Cup, we keep working the same way, and we showed (Saturday) that the younger players played and the team did not suffer,” Di Maria said. “That’s very important for the coach to know that everyone is available to play.”

Peru Struggles Against Dominant Argentina

Peru's starting lineup featured Pedro Gallese, Carlos Zambrano, Alexander Callens, Oliver Sonne, Aldo Corzo, Bryan Reyna, Sergio Pena, Wilder Cartagena, Marcos Lopez, Edison Flores, and Paolo Guerrero. Despite Gallese’s three crucial saves in the first half, Argentina’s dominance was clear. Martinez’s goals sealed Peru’s fate, eliminating them from the tournament. The game was tied 0-0 at halftime, with Argentina dominating possession 79 percent to 21 percent and having three shots on goal while Peru had none.

Pedro Gallese's Heroics Not Enough

Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, who plays for MLS club Orlando City, made three enormous saves in the first half to keep the Peruvians in the game. Gallese made a save on a Paredes free kick and also foiled shots by Di Maria and Garnacho. However, Argentina came out strong after the interval, took control right away, and Martinez struck two minutes into the second half to give Argentina a 1-0 lead. He collected a through ball from Di Maria and scored on a right-footed shot from the center of the box over Gallese to the right corner. The Inter Milan forward scored again in the closing minutes with another chip shot, ensuring Argentina’s victory.

Lautaro Martinez's Personal Journey and Triumph

After the game, Martinez reflected on his journey and recovery from an ankle injury during the Qatar World Cup. “Obviously, I enjoyed the World Cup with my teammates because it was my first one, but it was a tough time with a lot of sadness because my ankle was bothering me a lot,” he said. “There were moments I wanted to have surgery because I couldn’t stand the pain. But now I can enjoy with my family because I worked hard to make up for that World Cup and get to where I am now.” Martinez's resilience and determination were evident as he continued to shine in the Copa America, contributing significantly to Argentina’s success.

Argentina's Quest for Third Major Title in Copa America 2024

Argentina is aiming for their third major title after winning the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup. With this loss, Peru was eliminated from the tournament. Peru coach Jorge Fossati acknowledged the challenges his team faced against Argentina. “Our performance today was the weakest of our three games,” Fossati said. “That has some reasons. The first is the quality of the opponent. That is undeniable. They have players of very high caliber. Also, we played against a fresher team and physically we suffered after the game against Canada, which was played in a very hot stadium and we finished with 10 men. We couldn’t play our game (against Argentina) and didn’t have the legs we needed.”

Looking Ahead: Argentina's Path to Glory

Argentina will face the runner-up of Group B in the quarterfinals. Venezuela leads Group B, with Ecuador and Mexico tied for second. Argentina’s versatile squad and strategic management will be key as they aim to continue their successful run in the tournament. The team’s ability to adapt and perform under different circumstances, coupled with Messi’s potential return, sets the stage for an exciting continuation of their Copa America campaign.