Argentina Advances to Copa America Quarterfinals with Late Goal by Lautaro Martínez
In a tightly contested match, Argentina secured a place in the Copa America quarterfinals by defeating Chile 1-0. Lautaro Martínez scored the decisive goal in the 88th minute, capping nearly 90 minutes of Argentine dominance.
The breakthrough came during a frantic scramble in front of the Chilean net. Lionel Messi initiated the sequence with a corner kick, which was headed toward the goal by Lisandro Martínez. The ball landed in front of goalkeeper Claudio Bravo amidst a tussle between Argentina's Giovani Lo Celso and Chile's Nicolás Fernández. Lo Celso's attempt to score rebounded off Bravo, then off Chile's Igor Lichnovsky, who tried to clear it. Lautaro Martínez, who had entered the game in the 73rd minute, seized the opportunity and one-timed the rebound into the roof of the net. After a three-minute video review, the goal was confirmed, marking Martínez's 26th goal for the national team.
“The ball ended up right at me and I was able to convert it,” said Martínez, who also scored in Argentina's 2-0 win over Canada last week.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised the team's performance. “We deserved the win. It was not an easy match. We managed to win at the moment least expected.”
Argentina, leading Group A with six points, will conclude the first round against Peru in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday. Canada, currently second in the group with three points, will face Chile in Orlando, Florida. Chile and Peru each have one point.
Playing the day after his 37th birthday, Messi displayed his trademark skills before an adoring sellout crowd of 81,106 at MetLife Stadium, the site of the 2026 World Cup final. Argentina dominated the match with 22 shots compared to Chile's 3, and 11 corner kicks to Chile's 0. Chile's first shot didn't come until the 72nd minute.
Messi had a near miss in the 36th minute when his 30-yard shot hit the post. He also needed treatment for a thigh injury after being kicked by Gabriel Suazo in the 24th minute. Nicolás González's shot from a Messi pass in the 62nd minute was parried off the crossbar by Bravo.
Argentina outshot Chile 17-0 before Rodrigo Echeverría's 72nd-minute effort was saved by Emiliano Martínez. The Argentine goalkeeper made another crucial save in the 76th minute, blocking a deflected shot from Echeverría.
“I always have to save one or two every match. And I'm lucky to keep doing it,” said Emiliano Martínez.
The match took place on the 46th anniversary of Argentina's first World Cup title. The venue, MetLife Stadium, is also where Chile defeated Argentina on penalty kicks in the 2016 Copa America final, leading to Messi's temporary retirement from international play.
The majority of the 81,106 fans in attendance wore Argentina jerseys, many bearing Messi's name and number 10. The playing surface, temporarily installed over artificial turf, showed some wear with small brown patches behind one goal.
Claudio Bravo, at 41 the oldest player in Copa America history, made eight saves in his 150th international appearance. He and Messi, former Barcelona teammates, spoke briefly while leading their teams onto the field for the national anthems.
“Losing this way leaves a bitter taste,” Bravo said. “We played against a tremendous opponent.”
