MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Lionel Messi had a entrance row seat on the Argentine nationwide workforce’s bench Saturday night time because the reigning world champions completed Copa America group play with one other victory.
Lautaro Martinez scored targets within the forty seventh and 86th minutes, and Argentina beat Peru 2-0 at Laborious Rock Stadium within the last group play match for Group A with out Messi in motion.
“In fact, we all the time wish to have Leo in our workforce, however when Leo isn’t there, we do our greatest,” mentioned Argentine assistant coach Walter Samuel, after teaching rather than suspended head coach Lionel Scaloni. “In the present day, we proved we are able to play with out him.”
Argentina entered the match with a Copa America quarterfinal berth already secured. They await the winner of Sunday’s match between Mexico and Ecuador, which is able to settle second place in Group B.
Argentina’s subsequent match is July 4 at NRG Stadium in Houston.
“We’ve got three wins in three video games within the group stage and, properly, nothing. Congratulations. Let’s get better and take into consideration what’s to return,” mentioned Martinez, who scored 4 of Argentina’s 5 targets in group play.
Lionel Messi stays everyday with harm
Messi – listed instead on Argentina’s roster, however carrying blue shorts in contrast to Argentina’s white uniform – didn’t play as he continues to get better from a proper groin/adductor harm he sustained within the membership’s earlier match in opposition to Chile final Tuesday.
Samuel mentioned Messi’s pressure is bettering, however he stays everyday. Messi swiftly left the stadium, smiling whereas strolling together with his Argentine teammates by way of the postgame combined media zone, showing to stroll with a traditional stride with none seen limitation.
“He’s getting higher. However it’s been a few days and it’s too early to inform,” Samuel mentioned. “We wish to discuss to the medical doctors and take heed to them.”
Scaloni, Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach, watched the match from a collection contained in the stadium, serving a one-game suspension for Argentina taking too lengthy to return to the pitch when the second half started in opposition to Chile at MetLife Stadium.
Martinez shines in Argentina’s win
The Argentines had been first on the pitch when the second half started Saturday night time, evident by Martinez’s objective within the first two minutes after halftime, on an help by Angel Di Maria.
After the rating, Martinez embraced Messi with a hug on the sidelines.
Martinez wasn’t performed scoring within the last minutes.
With a stiff-arm and a chip shot over Peru goalie Pedro Gallese, Martinez added his second objective of the match within the 86th minute.
It could have been a disappointment to followers, not getting the prospect to see Messi shine in his new hometown. However nonetheless, the sold-out crowd cheered loudly as Messi was proven on 4 huge screens contained in the stadium.
If Argentina reaches the Copa America last, it’ll be performed at this stadium once more on July 14.
Argentina sweeps group play, strikes on to quarterfinals
After wins in opposition to Canada, Chile and Peru, solely two matches stand in Argentina’s path to a different Copa America last.
And Messi’s potential return from his lingering harm, in fact.
“It was necessary for us to complete first, to complete with 9 factors,” Argentina’s Leandro Paredes mentioned of sweeping group play. “It was what we needed, and we had been in a position to obtain it.”
Added Samuel: “We’re extraordinarily happy with the primary spherical, and now comes the following spherical. We must be prepared for that.”
86′ Lautaro Martinez objective: Argentina 2, Peru 0
Lautaro Martinez has performed it once more, scoring within the 86th minute to offer Argentina a 2-0 lead.
It’s the second objective of the night time, and fourth objective in group stage for Martinez, who chipped the shot over Peru goalie Pedro Gallese after giving a stiff-arm to a defender.
Leandro Paredes misses penalty kick: Argentina 1, Peru 0
Leandro Paredes, on his 30th birthday, shot a penalty kick off the fitting submit within the 72nd minute.
It was an opportunity to take a 2-0 lead, and put this match away after a handball penalty by Chile.
47′ Lautaro Martinez celebrates objective with Lionel Messi hug: Argentina 1, Peru 0
Lionel Messi acquired into Argentina’s objective celebration with a hug for Lautaro Martinez after his rating.
Lautaro Martinez objective: Argentina 1, Peru 0
The World Champions are within the lead, only a minute into the second half.
Lautaro Martinez scored his third objective this Copa America, an help from Angel Di Maria, and Argentina has taken a 1-0 lead over Peru.
Lo Celso, Garnacho miss photographs towards internet: Argentina 0, Peru 0
Argentina had two extra possibilities towards the web, however to no avail as the primary half involves an finish.
Giovani Lo Celso didn’t have sufficient juice on his kick, and Peru goalie Pedro Gallese will get his third save – greater than he’s had in Peru’s first two matches.
Alejandro Garnacho’s kick on the rebound sailed over the web.
Angel Di Maria takes shot towards objective: Argentina 0, Peru 0
Angel Di Maria made a transfer to free himself for a shot on the internet, however Peru goalie Pedro Gallese will get his second save of the sport within the 40th minute.
The place is Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni? He is watching from a stadium field
Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni, serving a one-game suspension, is watching the Peru match from a collection within the stadium. Scaloni isn’t teaching due to a Conmebol one-game suspension.
Peredes’ free kick almost scores, Peru deflects: Argentina 0, Peru 0
What a free kick by Argentina’s Leandro Paredes, blocked by Peru goalie Pedro Gallese.
Lautaro Martínez shot towards internet is blocked, offside: Argentina 0, Peru 0
Lautaro Martinez, who has two of Argentina’s three Copa America targets, despatched a shot towards the web within the 23rd minute, however he was offside.
Argentina fan has epic Diego Maradona tattoo
This Argentine fan acquired some highlight for his Maradona tattoo throughout the FS1 broadcast. Spectacular.
Argentina’s Garnacho misses early shot: Argentina 0, Peru 0
Angel Di Maria tried a header within the early minutes, whereas Alejandro Garnacho tried a shot towards internet, however he was off-balanced and his shot was blocked.
Argentina already has 4 nook kicks within the match, and 75 p.c possession, in accordance with ESPN.
Messi watches from bench as Argentine nationwide anthem performs
Argentina followers sang in unison as their nationwide anthem performed inside Laborious Rock Stadium earlier than the match.
Why is not Messi enjoying? Here is why Messi isn’t enjoying
Messi is resting after struggling a proper groin/adductor harm in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Chile final Thursday. He’s thought of day-to-day and on the bench.
Messi listed as Argentina substitute, will watch from bench
Though Lionel Messi has been initially dominated out in opposition to Peru, Messi is a welcomed shock on Argentina’s lineup as an alternative choice to the match.
It is unclear whether or not Messi will seem throughout the match, however he’ll no less than watch from Argentina’s bench.
Inter Miami vs. Nashville play concurrently Argentina
Lionel Messi’s MLS workforce is in motion tonight on the street in opposition to Nashville at 8:30 p.m. Inter Miami hopes to take care of first place within the MLS Japanese Convention. The match is offered by way of MLS Season Move on Apple TV.
Messi, Argentina arrive to Peru match at Laborious Rock Stadium
With a smile and a Mas+ by Messi drink in hand, Lionel Messi walked into Laborious Rock Stadium alongside his Argentine teammates earlier than the match.
Argentina and Peru followers in full pressure earlier than Copa America match
The parking heaps at Laborious Rock Stadium had been full of enthusiastic followers pregaming for Argentina and Peru.
Is Messi enjoying?
No. Messi is not going to play tonight in opposition to Peru.
Is Messi harm?
Messi is taken into account everyday, with experiences out of Argentina, saying he has a minimal pressure.
When is Messi’s subsequent sport?
If Messi is wholesome, he’ll return in Argentina’s Copa America quarterfinal match on July 4.
Who will Argentina play within the Copa América quarterfinals?
As Group A leaders, Argentina awaits the second-place workforce in Group B, which shall be determined when Mexico and Ecuador play on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET at State Farm Enviornment in Glendale, Arizona.
Why is Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni suspended?
Scaloni isn’t teaching the Argentine nationwide workforce vs. Peru due to a Conmebol one-game suspension. The explanation: Argentina didn’t re-enter the pitch quick sufficient within the second half of its win over Chile final Tuesday. Argentina’s federation was fined $15,000.
What did Messi say about his harm?
Messi hoped his harm was “nothing critical” when chatting with media after enjoying everything of Argentina’s win in opposition to Chile. He additionally mentioned he was coping with a sore throat and fever throughout the membership’s first week of Copa América motion.
Why Messi’s absence is disappointing for followers?
Argentine followers have flooded the streets of downtown Atlanta and New York Metropolis, and camped outdoors the nationwide workforce’s inns for the primary two matches, together with Messi’s 37th birthday final Monday. Followers additionally had the Peru match Saturday circled to descend on Miami to look at Messi in motion.
How has Peru carried out throughout Copa América?
Peru has been held scoreless in its two Copa America video games, enjoying to a draw in opposition to Chile, however falling 1-0 to Canada.
How has Messi’s harm affected Copa América ticket gross sales?
The common listed ticket worth for the Argentina vs. Peru match decreased 22% after Messi’s harm, Vivid Seats instructed USA TODAY Sports activities on Friday. This match was essentially the most in-demand ticket of the event with a $515 common ticket bought worth – almost $100 greater than the Argentina vs. Chile match and almost $200 greater than the event opener in opposition to Canada.
Messi leaves door open to play in World Cup
Messi stays the face of Argentina’s nationwide workforce. He’ll be the star attraction in Copa América. And he’s open to enjoying within the subsequent World Cup in 2026 — if his physique holds up.
“It will depend on how I really feel, how I’m bodily and being reasonable with myself. And to know if I’m as much as the duty of having the ability to compete and assist the colleagues subsequent to me,” Messi mentioned. “There’s some time left and I do not understand how I’ll be at that second.”
Messi says he’s conscious ‘there’s not a variety of time left’
“I’ve performed this all of my life. I really like enjoying ball. I benefit from the coaching, the everyday, the video games. Yeah, there’s a little bit of concern that it’s all ending. It’s all the time there,” Messi instructed ESPN Argentina.
“It was a troublesome step leaving Europe to return [to the United States] The actual fact we received the World Cup helped. It helped so much, to see issues in one other manner. However I strive not to consider [retiring]. I attempt to take pleasure in it. I try this extra now as a result of I’m conscious that there’s not a variety of time left.”
Messi continues to be huge enterprise off soccer pitch
Messi has a brand new drink, Mas+, debuting within the U.S. He was the hilarious punchline in a “Dangerous Boys” film promo with film stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. And if soccer followers aren’t already, they’ll be singing “O-Lays, O-Lays, O-Lays, O-Lays” after his commercials for Lays chips and different firms air all summer season lengthy.