Martinez double downs Peru, as Argentina tops Copa group

MIAMI, Florida — Lautaro Martinez struck twice in the second half to help Argentina's second string beat Peru 2-0 at the Copa America on Saturday and finish top of Group A, knocking Peru out of the tournament.

Martinez, featuring in the starting line-up for the first time in the competition, found the net in the 47th and 86th minutes, scoring for a third straight match.

The Inter Milan striker finished off a flowing move in the 47th minute, coolly chipping the ball over Peru keeper Pedro Gallese, and repeated the trick in the 86th minute, chipping Gallese again for his second goal after some sloppy defending by Peru.

"I'm happy, because I was able to score in the three group-stage games, and because I was able to help the team, which is what counts," Martinez, who was criticized for his performances in Argentina's World Cup-winning campaign in 2022, told TyC Sports.

"I'm fine, as I said when the match with Chile ended, I had a great season at my club and I felt good.

"I felt ready to get rid of the thorn from the World Cup, that was important for me, to prepare well for the Copa America, which I did, and I'm showing it. Let's keep working."

Argentina had already qualified for the quarterfinals before the match in Miami, with wins over Canada and Chile, the other teams in the group.

That security allowed the defending champion to rest key players, including captain Lionel Messi.

Messi, who celebrated his 37th birthday on June 24, is recovering from a thigh injury he picked up during Argentina's win over Chile on Tuesday. He is expected to return for their quarterfinal match on Thursday in Houston against the Group B runner-up, which will most likely be either Ecuador or Mexico.

Despite the absence of its coach Lionel Scaloni, suspended and fined for late second-half starts in two previous matches, and fielding a much-changed starting line-up, Argentina was largely untroubled by its opponent.

It dominated possession in the first half and had three attempts on target, but Peru's goalkeeper Gallese kept the scoreline respectable with a string of saves, the most notable of which came from a well-struck free kick by Leandro Paredes in the 26th minute.

The defending champion had a gilt-edged chance to extend its lead when it was awarded a penalty for handball in the 72nd minute, but Paredes smashed his spot-kick off the post.

Argentina will be joined in the knockout rounds by group runner-up Canada, who qualified for the last eight after holding Chile to a 0-0 draw in the other Group A match.

Maxime Crepeau finished with three saves to lead Canada to a scoreless draw, sending the Canadians to the quarterfinal round of Copa America in their first appearance at the tournament.

Chile was forced to play a man down after Gabriel Suazo, who received a yellow card in the 12th minute, was issued a second in the 27th for bringing down Richie Laryea. Canada, though, could not take advantage of the extra man.

Canada thought it had taken the lead in the second minute of stoppage time through substitute Tani Oluwaseyi, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Agencies