Argentina progresses to Copa America quarterfinals, defeating Chile 1-0 with Lautaro Martinez’s 88th-minute goal

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, secured their spot in the Copa America quarterfinals after a hard-fought victory over Chile. Lautaro Martínez’s decisive goal came in the 88th minute, breaking the deadlock in a match dominated by Argentina’s relentless attacks. Messi initiated the play with a corner kick, headed towards goal by Lisandro Martínez, setting off a chaotic scramble in Chile’s box. After multiple attempts, Martínez calmly slotted home the rebound for his 26th goal with the national team, confirmed after a lengthy video review.

“We deserved the win. It was not an easy match,” commented Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, praising his team’s resilience and persistence throughout the game. Argentina leads Group A with six points, followed by Canada with three, and Chile and Peru with one each. Their final group stage match against Peru awaits, while Chile faces Canada, both aiming to secure their quarterfinal berths.

In a showcase of his skill and determination, Messi led Argentina’s offensive charge, narrowly missing a goal himself with a powerful shot that struck the post. Despite facing stiff resistance from Chile, Argentina dominated with 22 shots compared to Chile’s three, and 11 corner kicks to none. Emiliano Martínez, Argentina’s goalkeeper, made crucial saves to preserve the lead, ensuring their victory on the day marking the 46th anniversary of Argentina’s first World Cup triumph.

The match unfolded at MetLife Stadium in front of a vibrant crowd of 81,106, underscoring Messi’s enduring influence and popularity in international football.