Messi argues with the referee at the end of the first half (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)How was the goal scored?
It was a painstaking final 10 minutes as a scoreless draw drew ever closer. But victory came for Argentina after two quick corner attempts – the first with Messi yet again attempting the elusive Olimpico. It was off the second corner that Lautaro Martinez buried the ball in the net, with a sold-out crowd of roughly 82,000 fans on their feet.
Even then there was jeopardy, however, as the video assistant referee checked the goal for offside interference. The check took several minutes… but eventually went in Argentina’s favor.
THERE IT IS FOR ARGENTINA 🇦🇷
Lautaro Martínez finds the back of the net in the 88th minute 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ylQhfCmc9b
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 26, 2024
What does this result mean?
Argentina is through to the quarterfinals of the Copa America but it could yet be in first or second place in Group A. Lionel Scaloni’s side lead its group with six points and +3 goal difference after two matches, followed by Canada (three points, -1 GD), Chile (one point, -1 GD) and Peru (one point, -1 GD).
Argentina’s final game is against Peru (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL) and Canada face Chile (Inter & Co Stadium, Orlando, FL). Both matches kick off at 8:00 p.m. ET on June 29 (1 a.m. UK, June 30).
What did the managers say?
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni on Messi’s fitness: “I didn’t speak with him after the game. He ended up playing through. You saw he had the 50-meter sprint there… and it’s the last image I have (in my head). I can’t say more because I haven’t seen him.”
Chile head coach Ricardo Gareca: “I believe that we are in a position to improve (against Canada). We have very strong players, and I believe that we are in a position to be able to compete with Canada.
“I believe we can achieve it, we had the chances – and then, of course, knowing it’s a game where we are going to give it our all.”
Required reading
(Top photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Source link : https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5590772/2024/06/25/chile-argentina-messi-copa-america/
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Publish date : 2024-06-26 02:14:15
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