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Lautaro Martinez scored twice in the second half to help Argentina’s B team beat Peru 2-0 in the Copa America on Saturday, finishing top of Group A and knocking Peru out of the tournament.
Martinez, who participated in the starting lineup for the first time in the competition, scored in the 47th and 86th minutes, scoring for the third match in a row.
The Inter Milan striker completed a wonderful attack in the 47th minute, as he calmly shot the ball over Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Galese, and he repeated the same trick in the 86th minute, where he shot over Galese again, scoring his second goal after a defensive error on the part of Peru.
“I’m happy because I was able to score in the three games in the group stage and because I was able to help the team, and that’s what’s important,” Martinez, who has been criticised for his performances in Argentina’s campaign to win the 2022 World Cup, told TyC Sports.
“I’m fine, as I said when the match with Chile ended, I had a great season in my team and I felt good.
“I felt ready to get rid of the thorn of the World Cup, it was important for me, to prepare well for the Copa America, which I did and proved. Let’s keep working.”
Chris Argon/AFP via Getty Images
Argentina had already qualified for the quarter-finals before the match in Miami by defeating Canada and Chile, the other two teams in the group.
This security has allowed the title holders to rest key players, including captain Lionel Messi.
Messi, who celebrated his 37th birthday on Monday, is recovering from a thigh injury sustained in Argentina’s win over Chile on Tuesday and is expected to return for Thursday’s quarter-final in Houston against the Group B runners-up.
Despite the absence of their coach Lionel Scaloni, who was suspended and fined for coming on late in the second half in two previous matches, and a much-changed starting line-up, Argentina were largely untroubled by their opponents.
Peru dominated possession in the first half and had three attempts on goal but Peru goalkeeper Gallese kept the score respectable with a series of saves, the most notable of which was a well-executed free kick by Leandro Paredes in the 26th minute.
The defending champions had a golden opportunity to extend the lead when they were awarded a penalty kick for handball in the 72nd minute, but Paredes hit the penalty kick against the post.
They will be joined in the knockout stages by Canada, the runner-up of the group, who qualified for the quarter-finals after drawing 0-0 with Chile in the other match in Group A.
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