Copa AmeĢrica Group A action concluded on Saturday with the final two games. Here is what went down. : Martinez 47ā², 86ā² Without Lionel Messi, turned to another big-name star and ground out a 2-0 win over .
Argentina dominated possession of the ball during the first 45 minutes (80%) but struggled to create anything worthwhile. Angel Di Maria and Alejandro Garnacho were lively, but Leandro Paredes came closest to opening the scoring. However, goalkeeper Pedro Gallese saved his laser of a free-kick.
Peru would have welcomed the fact that they were 0-0 against the World Champions but less than two minutes after the restart, struck. Inter striker Lautaro Martinez broke the deadlock after splitting two defenders and chipping home in slick fashion. Argentina continued to control the game and pushed for a second.
However, Paredes was again denied after his penalty hit the post. Martinez eventually added his second on the night and fourth of the tournament to secure the victory. He now has four goals in three games at the tournament and leads the Golden Boot race.
The result means they finished with three wins from three in the group stage and topped Group A. , meanwhile, finished bottom of the group. N/A.
: Suazo 27ā² Debutants booked a historic spot in the quarter-finals after a 0-0 draw with 10-man . It was a feisty opening 20 minutes between the two countries with a yellow each as tempers flared. The atmosphere eventually led to a sending-off when Gabriel Suazo was shown a .
