Argentina secured a spot in the Copa America quarter-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chile, thanks to a late goal from Lautaro Martinez.
The defending champions had to wait until the 88th minute to break the deadlock, with Martinez capitalizing on a rebound after Claudio Bravo saved Giovani Lo Celso’s shot.
Argentina now tops Group A with six points, followed by Canada with three points. Chile and Peru trail with one point each.
Martinez acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating that “these matches are always tight” and that Argentina must continue to approach each game with the same mindset.
The win extended Argentina’s dominance over Chile in the Copa America, with the latter’s winless streak now standing at 30 matches.
Despite Chile’s struggles, goalkeeper Bravo remained optimistic, noting that the group is “very evenly matched” and that every game will be a tough battle.
The match saw Argentina dominate possession and chances, with Lionel Messi once again impressing with his skill and vision.
Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez, and Rodrigo de Paul also tested Bravo with shots, while Martinez’s goal was the decisive moment in the contest.
In the group’s final fixtures, Argentina will face Peru in Miami, while Chile will take on Canada in Orlando.
With the competition heating up, both teams will be looking to secure their places in the quarter-finals.
