World Champions Argentina maintained their 100% record in the ongoing 2024 Copa America, winning all three games in the Group Stages of the tournament and being flawless in the process.
Assistant coach Walter Samuel made 9 changes to the previous team that played against Chile, as head coach Lionel Scaloni was not on the touchline against Peru due to his suspension in the second group game.
There were no goals in the first half but one magical moment from Angel Di Maria in the second half helped Lautaro Martinez score his third goal of the tournament. The Inter Milan starman made it 2-0 for the World Champions in the 86th minute when he lifted a ball past Peru’s goalkeeper, who was off his line. The referee was called up by the VAR to review an incident in the buildup to the goal, but after minutes of checks, the goal stood.
The Perfect Argentina Record
With the absence of Lionel Messi in the last group game -against Peru- Argentina managed to pick up the maximum points, thanks to a brace from Lautaro Martinez. Argentina have now won three consecutive games for the third time in their history after doing so in 2007 and 2016. Interestingly, the world champions have kept a clean sheet in their last 8 games in competitive games played. Argentina will face runners-up of Group B likely to be Ecuador in the Quarter Finals of the Copa America 2024.
Lautaro Martinez the Unsung Hero
Not even Lionel Messi nor Vinicius Junior are leading the top scorers chat in the 2024 Copa America. 26-year-old Lautaro Martinez is leading the Golden Boot race in the tournament so far. The Argentine international has scored in all three Group stage games in the tournament. Lautaro now has 4 goals to his name with no other player with more than two goals in the competition.
Final Group A table – Chile and Peru bow out
As Argentina and Canada progressed to the knockout stage. Chile and Peru have been kicked out of the tournament. Chile played all three group games without scoring a goal. They amassed two points above Peru, who came bottom of the table with 0 points.
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Story by: David Kwaku Dzaku| univers.ug.edu.gh
