Substitute Lautaro Martinez scored an 88th-minute winner to secure Argentina's 1-0 victory over Chile, ensuring their place in the Copa America quarter-finals on Tuesday. Despite Lionel Messi hitting the post in the first half, Argentina had their goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to thank for crucial saves that kept the score level before Lautaro's late strike at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Argentina, who dictated early proceedings, saw Messi's strike partner Julian Alvarez force Chile's veteran goalkeeper Claudio Bravo into a save in the 22nd minute. Although Messi was often neutralized by Chile’s defense, he came close to scoring with a shot that clipped the post in the 36th minute.
Bravo's inspired performance continued after the break, parrying a near-post blast from Nahuel Molina and pushing a fierce drive from Nicolas Gonzalez against the bar. On the counter, Chile's Rodrigo Echeverria twice tested Emiliano Martinez, who kept Argentina in the game.
The decisive moment came when Chile failed to clear a Messi corner, allowing Lautaro Martinez to score the winner. Lautaro had a chance to add a second goal after a breakaway from Angel Di Maria, but Argentina settled for a solitary goal, securing their quarter-final berth with a game to spare.
In other Copa America action, Jonathan David scored the only goal as Canada revived their campaign with a 1-0 win over Peru in sweltering Kansas City. David's cool finish secured the victory against a 10-man Peru at Children's Mercy Park Stadium, where temperatures reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
Canada, who lost 2-0 to Argentina in their opening game, capitalized after Peru's Miguel Araujo was dismissed for a foul on Jacob Shaffelburg. Following a VAR review, Araujo's yellow card was upgraded to a red.
David scored the decisive goal in the 74th minute after a sensational cross-field pass from Shaffelburg, burying a right-foot finish into the bottom corner. Despite Peru's efforts to equalize, Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau made crucial saves to deny Christian Cueva and Paolo Guerrero, securing all three points for Canada.
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