MIAMI, FL(SMI-GLOBAL-SPORTS-CONMEBOL COPA-AMERICA USA 2024)-FIFA World #1, & 15-time
Copa America champions " Argentina " overpower Peru 2-0, with striker Lautaro Martinez
scoring 2-goals in the 2nd half to swept the group stage & win Group A, in front of 64,972 fans
in attendance at Hard-Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Argentina who prior to the game became the first team to advance to the quarterfinals
rounds of the tournament with 6-points, will face Ecuador who finished 2nd in Group B,
with 4-points after concluding its last group stage competition match against Mexico
with a scoreless draw.

" La Albiceleste" outperformed Peru in the game stats for most of the first period with
80% of ball game possession, controlling the midfield and 3-0, shot on goal target,
sending both teams to the locker-rooms with scoreless draw at the half.


In the first minute & counter-attack of the second half, striker Lautaro Martinez opened
game score to put " La Albiceleste " in front 1-0, at 46:13' mark.On a counter-attack through
the middle, midfielder Giovani Lo Celso passed the ball to Angel DiMaria who immediately
gave it to Lautaro Martinez inside the 18, and scored with chip shot over goalkeeper Pedro
Gallese that ended in back of the net for his 3rd goal in the tournament.

Argentina kept the pressure and in another offensive attack through the middle, defender
Gonzalo Montiel in breakaway inside the 18', tried to cross the ball but it hit the hand of
Peru defender Jesus Castillo  for a penalty call by the referee at 69' mark.

Midfielder Leandro Paredes who was celebrating his birthday on game day executed
the penalty kick but it hit the right goal post bouncing back onto the field to remain 
1-0, for "La Albiceleste" at 72' mark.

With five minute left in the game, Lautaro Martinez received a long ball from the
midfield in breakaway evaded two defenders and inside the box scored with another 
chip shot over Peru's goalkeeper Gallese for his 2nd goal of the game and 4th of the tournament in 3-games at 86' mark, and seal the 2-0, win for Argentina over Peru.

Article Written & Photo By Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated