Lautaro Martinez again, still as a substitute. Toro resolved the Chile problem in the 88th minute (1-0) with an opportunist goal, thus giving Argentina the arithmetic qualification for the quarter-finals with a day to spare. La Roja defends in every way but in the end it’s not enough. Still in group A, Jonathan David writes a piece of Canadian history: his decisive goal against Peru is worth the first overall victory (1-0) in the Copa America for Marsch’s national team. Nothing to be done for Lapadula and his teammates, who were left with ten men in the last half hour and who will now go all out in the final against Argentina. Moments of fear at the end of the first half with the linesman fainting due to heat stroke.
Chile – Argentina 0-1
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Scaloni surprises by keeping out both Di Maria and Paredes. Nico Gonzalez plays on the left and Enzo Fernandez in the middle in a 4-4-2. Chile plays with a 4-5-1 of pure catenaccio and counterattack, with Sanchez completely out of the game. Messi is less inspired than in his debut, but when the ball passes through his feet something always happens. Like in the 36th minute, when his left-footed shot from outside hits the post. Argentina dominates with pace and ball management, attacking especially on the right with Molina, protagonist with several initiatives, one of these almost propitiating Pulgar’s own goal. Bravo is the best of the Roja, especially in the second half when he deflects a Nico Gonzalez rocket onto the crossbar. Chile never attacks until the 72nd minute, then in the space of three minutes they scare the Albiceleste a couple of times with Echeverria’s torpedoes miraculously saved by Dibu Martinez. As against Canada, Scaloni puts Lautaro Martinez into the mix for the last quarter of an hour in place of Alvarez. Toro only needs half a ball in the 88th minute to become the hero of the evening at Meadowlands Stadium: his is the winning right-footed shot in front of goal after a scramble from a corner that is worth the victory and mathematical qualification. In the final stages, the Inter striker also misses a brace on the counterattack, with Bravo being amazing on the way out. Chile will need a victory against Canada to take second place.
Peru – Canada 0-1
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Above the Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, a tropical heat of 40° hits, affecting both teams. To see the first excitement, you have to wait until the 34th minute, when Lapadula sees his advantage cancelled out for offside after a nice header. The Cagliari striker jostles with everyone, trying to get a team that defends low in a block, leaving the ball to the Canadians. Davies is not having a good day, Canada is playing the game but is not breaking through. In the first half recovery time, the incident: out of nowhere, the linesman faints on the ground, Crepeau notices and immediately goes to assist him, calling the attention of the doctors. In the end, no hospital and danger averted. The second half is still a guerrilla warfare. The turning point comes in the 59th minute: Araujo enters with his foot hammered on Shaffelburg’s ankle, the referee cautions him, the VAR calls him back, he is red. From there La Bicolor suffers and in the 74th minute suffers a lethal counterattack that becomes fertile ground for David who crosses the right and makes it 1-0. The result will not change. Good entrance for the Inter player Buchanan, on the field from the 66th minute as a right midfielder. Peru is last in the group with 1 point and will need a miracle against Argentina to hope to advance to the next round.
