With shuffled cards, Lionel Messi in sneakers on the bench, and Lionel Scaloni in the stands, Argentina routinely achieved a victory over Peru (2-0) and thus, with a perfect record in the group stage, advanced to the quarterfinals. The defending champion, after victories over Canada (2-0) and Chile (1-0), faced the last challenge in the group stage of the Copa America without the pressure of needing a result, but that didn’t stop Lautaro Martinez from continuing his impressive goal-scoring streak with two goals, making it four goals in three matches. The Inter striker set his sights as early as in the friendly match against Guatemala, announcing his readiness for the continental competition with two goals. In the match against Canada, he doubled the lead, dispelling any doubts about the winner, while in the showdown with Chile, he earned the title of hero by scoring the only goal of the match. Martinez continued his excellent form against Peru, and thanks to him, Scaloni’s team will face either Mexico or Ecuador in the quarterfinals scheduled for July 4 in Houston, with a perfect record.The scorer of four out of Argentina’s five goals in the competition so far opened the scoring in the 47th minute with a move in true Gaucho style, finishing coolly to decorate Angel Di Maria’s assist and a play in which Argentina completed 18 passes. Leandro Paredes had a chance to double the lead and settle the outcome earlier in the 72nd minute from the penalty spot, but the Roma player was inaccurate, hitting the post and keeping a glimmer of hope alive for the Peruvians.However, Martinez extinguished the rivals’ dreams in the 86th minute with his second goal. The excellent striker’s pressing paid off, as he capitalized on a forced error by the center-back, putting Scaloni, who was in the stands due to suspension, in a sweet dilemma for choosing the starting striker for the upcoming challenges. The Argentine coach will have a rested Julian Alvarez and a sharp Lautaro, but one thing is certain: the strategist will know how to utilize all available forces, as evidenced by the fact that all players on the roster have already clocked minutes. In the other Group A match, the teams of Canada and Chile played to a scoreless draw, with the North American side retaining second place with four points.##NAJAVA_MECA_8186086##
