Argentina wins it in the end and is the first to qualify for the Quarterfinals

La Albiceleste defeated Chile 1-0 and secured a spot in the next round.

• Argentina is the first to qualify for the quarterfinals.
• They did so in front of a sold-out MetLife Stadium.

Highlights:

• Lautaro Martínez scored his second goal of the tournament in the closing moments of the match.
• Bravo was crucial in keeping the score 0-0 for over 80 minutes.
• Chile will have its last chance against Canada.

Match Summary

At MetLife Stadium, where Argentina and Chile met again eight years after that memorable 2016 CONMEBOL Copa América™ final, the second match started entirely in favor of Argentina.

In the first half, there were many chances for La Albiceleste. Messi hit the post at 35 minutes, Nico González had his chances, and Julián Álvarez faced Bravo one-on-one. But time and again, they were denied. In the first 45 minutes, Scaloni’s team had 61% possession and 13 shots on goal, while Chile failed to trouble Dibu Martínez.

The second half began similarly: Molina passed outside to Messi and took a good shot, which the great Chilean goalkeeper saved.

Nico González, who had an outstanding match, unleashed a powerful shot that Bravo and the crossbar managed to clear at the 60-minute mark.

Chile reacted and had two clear chances, both with Rodrigo Echeverría as the protagonist, taking shots that Dibu managed to save.

Argentina continued to press and was rewarded: first, Messi nearly scored an Olympic goal, cleared by Bravo. Then, in the following corner at the 87-minute mark, Lautaro Martínez capitalized on the rebound and scored his second goal of the tournament.

At the end of the match, Lautaro missed the chance to add a second goal, but the outcome was already decided: Argentina won 1-0 and secured their place in the Quarterfinals of the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa América™.

What’s next?

Already qualified for the quarterfinals, Argentina will seek the top spot in Group A against Peru at the Hard Rock Stadium, while Chile will look for their first win against Canada at the Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando. Both matches will be played on Saturday, June 29.

Lineups

Chile: Claudio Bravo; Mauricio Isla, Igor Lichnovsky, Paulo Díaz, Gabriel Suazo; Rodrigo Echeverría, Erick Pulgar; Víctor Dávila, Alexis Sánchez, Darío Osorio; Eduardo Vargas.

Coach: Ricardo Gareca

Substitutions used: Marcos Bolados, Marcelino Núñez, Ben Brereton, Nicolás Fernández.

Cards: Suazo (yellow), Mauricio Isla (yellow)

Argentina: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Nicolás González; Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez.

Coach: Lionel Scaloni

Substitutions used: Giovani Lo Celso, Lautaro Martínez, Ángel di María, Marcos Acuña, Gonzalo Montiel.

Cards: –

Goal: 88′ Lautaro Martínez (A)

Referee: Andrés Matonte (Uruguay)

Stadium: MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, NJ

Superior Player of the Match Michelob ULTRA: Claudio Bravo (Chile)

Source: Official Copa America Conmebol website (EN)

Featured image: Official Copa America Conmebol website (EN)