MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Lionel Messi had a front row seat on the Argentine national team’s bench Saturday night as the reigning world champions finished Copa America group play with another victory.
Lautaro Martinez scored goals in the 47th and 86th minutes, and Argentina beat Peru 2-0 at Hard Rock Stadium in the final group play match for Group A without Messi in action.
“Of course, we always want to have Leo in our team, but when Leo is not there, we do our best,” said Argentine assistant coach Walter Samuel, after coaching in place of suspended head coach Lionel Scaloni. “Today, we proved we can play without 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 will settle second place in Group B.
Argentina’s next match is July 4 at NRG Stadium in Houston.
“We have three wins in three games in the group stage and, well, nothing. Congratulations. Let’s recover and think about what’s to come,” said Martinez, who scored four of Argentina’s five goals in group play.
Lionel Messi remains day to day with injury
Messi – listed as a substitute on Argentina’s roster but wearing blue shorts unlike Argentina’s white uniform – did not play as he continues to recover from a right groin/adductor injury he sustained in the club’s previous match against Chile last Tuesday.
Samuel said Messi’s strain is improving, but he remains day to day. Messi swiftly left the stadium, smiling while walking with his Argentine teammates through the postgame mixed media zone, appearing to walk with a normal stride without any visible limitation.
“He’s getting better. But it’s been a couple of days and it’s too early to tell,” Samuel said. “We want to talk to the doctors and listen to them.”
