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, Copa América 2024.
After the score, Martinez embraced Messi with a hug on the sidelines.
The Argentines were without their star Lionel Messi who picked a knock in their last match.
Argentina’s next match is on 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.
Yessir was seen wearing blue shorts unlike Argentina’s white uniform 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.
“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.
After wins against Canada, Chile, and Peru, only two matches stand in Argentina’s path to another Copa America final.
“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.”
“We’re extremely pleased with the first round, and now comes the next round. We need to be ready for that,” he added.
