Copa America: Lautaro Martinez's Brace Downs Peru 2-0 - In Pics

Lautaro Martínez scored twice and Argentina, playing without the injured Lionel Messi, wrapped up Copa America group play with a 2-0 win over Peru on Saturday night. A nicely placed through ball from Ángel Di María led to Martínez’s goal in the 46th minute. Martínez was embraced by teammates afterward, then went to hug Messi, who was standing near Argentina’s bench. Martínez doubled Argentina’s lead in the 86th minute and now has a tournament-leading four goals. Messi did not play Saturday as he nurses a leg injury suffered in Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Chile on Tuesday that clinched a quarterfinal berth for the defending champions. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was also absent after being suspended because of his team’s late second-half return to the pitch in its previous two Copa matches.

Photo Webdesk

Updated on: 30 June 2024 11:38 am

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Copa America 2024: Argentina vs Peru | Photo: AP/Lynne Sladky

Argentina's players waves to fans at the end of a Copa America Group A soccer match against Peru in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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Lionel Messi greets Nicolás Otamendi | Photo: AP/Lynne Sladky

Argentina's Lionel Messi, left, greets Nicolás Otamendi at the end of a Copa America Group A soccer match against Peru in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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Lautaro Martínez scores second goal against Peru | Photo: AP/Lynne Sladky

Argentina's Lautaro Martínez (22) scores his side's second goal against Peru during a Copa America Group A soccer match in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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Lautaro Martínez celebrates with teammate Valentín Carboni | Photo: AP/Rebecca Blackwell

Argentina's Lautaro Martínez (22) celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Peru with teammate Valentín Carboni during a Copa America Group A soccer match in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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Exequiel Palacios and Alexander Callens battle for the ball | Photo: AP/Rebecca Blackwell

Argentina's Exequiel Palacios (14) and Peru's Alexander Callens battle for the ball during a Copa America Group A soccer match in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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Lautaro Martínez and Alexander Callens battle for the ball | Photo: AP/Rebecca Blackwell

Argentina's Lautaro Martínez, left, and Peru's Alexander Callens battle for the ball during a Copa America Group A soccer match in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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Peru's coach Jorge Fossati | Photo: AP/Rebecca Blackwell

Peru's coach Jorge Fossati reacts during a Copa America Group A soccer match against Argentina in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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Angel Di Maria and Alexander Callens battle for the ball | Photo: AP/Rebecca Blackwell

Argentina's Angel Di Maria (11) and Peru's Alexander Callens battle for the ball during a Copa America Group A soccer match in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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Lautaro Martínez celebrates scoring his side's opening goal | Photo: AP/Lynne Sladky

Argentina's Lautaro Martínez celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Peru during a Copa America Group A soccer match in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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Lautaro Martínez and Angel Di Maria celebrate team's first goal | Photo: AP/Lynne Sladky

Argentina's Lautaro Martínez, right, celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Peru with teammate Angel Di Maria during a Copa America Group A soccer match in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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Leandro Paredes fights for the ball with Bryan Reyna | Photo: AP/Rebecca Blackwell

Argentina's Leandro Paredes, center, fights for the ball with Peru's Bryan Reyna (11) and Sergio Pena during a Copa America Group A soccer match in Miami Gardens, Florida.