On the morning of June 26, Messi played hard to help the Argentina team conquer their ‘old enemy’ Chile with a narrow 1-0 victory in the second match of Group A, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, filled with nearly 82,000 spectators.
The only goal of the match was scored by striker Lautaro Martinez from the bench in the 88th minute. But the great credit belongs to Messi ‘s tireless efforts in trying to create dangerous situations at the end of the match from the players. corner kick.
Messi was closely followed by the Chilean defense throughout the match.
REUTERS
The second consecutive win in the early group stage helped Argentina (6 points) get a ticket to the quarterfinals, because in the remaining match in Group A, Canada beat Peru 1-0 to get the first 3 points. Peru and Chile only have 1 point after 2 matches.
Coach Scaloni made a few changes to the Argentina team’s lineup, leaving Di Maria as a reserve and using Nicolas Gonzalez instead. In defense, defender Tagliafico replaced Marcos Acuna. Messi is still the one leading the Albiceleste’s play with striker Julian Alvarez on the front line.
However, these changes have not really brought about the expected results. Argentina’s attack is not strong and diverse enough, causing great difficulties for Chile’s defense. In the first half, Argentina’s best chance was Messi’s shot hitting the post in the 35th minute after goalkeeper Claudio Bravo (Chile) had gone too far.
Argentina’s dominance continued throughout the second half, as they created 22 shots and controlled the ball 61.3% of the time, but were still unable to overcome goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and the Chilean defense.
Near the end of the match, the Argentinian defense still had to go through many difficult times when the Chilean team unleashed their strength to attack, creating many opportunities, causing goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez’s goal to stagger.
In the deadlocked situation, coach Scaloni’s substitutions such as bringing Lautaro Martinez, Di Maria, and Lo Celso onto the field in the last 20 minutes of the match were effective.
Messi tried very hard to overcome the dense defense of the Chilean team.
AFP
In which, Messi’s efforts opened up the situation for the Argentina team against the possibility of being tied by rival Chile.
In the 88th minute, after a corner kick straight at goalkeeper Claudio Bravo’s goal failed, in the next shot, the famous player who had just turned 37 took a corner kick into the middle of the penalty area for Lo Celso to finish but the ball was cleared. Striker Lautaro Martinez suddenly appeared and kicked the ball into the near corner to open the score 1-0 for the Argentina team.
Lautaro Martinez scored for the second time in a row in the 88th minute for Argentina
AFP
This last minute goal brought a sweet victory for Argentina and Messi against Chile, the team that made them miserable 8 years ago also at MetLife Stadium when they won after a penalty shootout in the final match. Copa America 2016 conclusion.
In the final match in Group A Copa America 2024, the Argentina team faces Peru at 7:00 a.m. on June 30. Coach Scaloni can use the reserve squad after quickly getting a ticket to the quarterfinals and securing the top spot in the group.
