Lautaro Martinez scored a late winner as Argentina became the first team through to the Copa America quarter-finals with a win over Chile – but it wasn’t all good news for the defending champions.
Martinez came off the bench to net his second goal of the tournament with two minutes to go to ensure Lionel Scaloni’s men advanced to the last eight with a 1-0 win.
There was concern, however, for captain Lionel Messi, who suffered a problem with his right thigh in the first half.
The Inter Miami star finished the game but admitted afterwards his movement had been hampered.
💫 Además de mago, equilibrista 🤹♂️ pic.twitter.com/LZPjG2m55P
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) June 26, 2024
He said: “It’s bothering me a bit. I hope it’s nothing serious. It was hard for me to move freely. Tomorrow we’ll see how I feel.
“We knew it would be very physical. All the games are physical, and Chile are tough. They had a lot on the line but we achieved our objective, winning and we’re into the quarter-finals.”
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner may be rested for their final pool game against Peru on Saturday, giving Martinez the opportunity to partner Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez in attack.
“Lautaro and Julian can play together,” coach Lionel Scaloni said. “It’s about finding a balance. Today, Lautaro scored the goal. He’s the first who’s happy. Julian is the second and I’m the third.”
Argentina dominated in New Jersey and Scaloni felt they merited their late winner.
He said: “We deserved to win. The game wasn’t easy. We won it at the moment you least expected it. The team kept believing and attacking. The win is deserved because Argentina made all the effort, but it was very tough.
“We have to keep playing this way, it’s going to be difficult.
”[Chile] sat back, with a line of five, but we’re happy because in the end we got the three points.”
