Argentina clinched a spot in the Copa America quarterfinals
East Rutherford, New Jersey (June 25, 2024) — Argentina clinched a spot in the Copa America quarterfinals.
Lionel Messi’s corner kick was deflected, leading to a goal by Lautaro Martinez in the 88th minute, and Argentina beat Chile 1-0 in front of a sellout crowd of 81,106 fans at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday night.
Messi 37,his birthday was one day before the match, and fans celebrated his birthday at the Times Square in New York. Messi finished the match despite having his right groin area massaged on the sideline by a trainer in the 25th minute. He also favored the injury about 10 minutes later, using the time to attend to himself as an opposing player was injured.
“I hope it’s nothing serious,” Messi said of his injury after the match.
Messi had one clear shot toward the net, firing a left boot and grazing the right post in the 36th minute. He was instrumental in the second half, leading Argentina’s offensive attack.
Argentina nearly played to a scoreless draw against Chile – the two clubs playing to scoreless Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016 before Chile decided both matches.
Argentine goalie Dibu Martinez didn’t have as busy of a day, saving three shots on goal in the match – Chile’s only attempts in the game.
But Peru goalie Claudio Bravo – who played with Messi at FC Barcelona from 2014-16 – fended off 21 of Argentina’s 22 shots in the match until Martinez’s score.
Argentina has six points in Group A – ahead of Canada (three), Chile (one) and Peru (one) – making Saturday’s match against Peru at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami a chance to rest Messi if he needs it. Chile faces Canada on Saturday in the final group-play matches for each team.
Martinez scores in the 88th minute, and Argentina appears primed to beat Chile 1-0 and move onto the Copa America quarterfinal.
After a VAR lasting more than two minutes, the goal was confirmed.
Argentina vs Chile official attendance was 81,106 at MetLife Stadium
Chile’s Rodrigo Echeverría has the club’s first two shots toward the net in this match, both gobbled by Argentine goalie Dibu Martínez.
Copa America Public Relations was a mess,
