MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Argentina beat Peru 2-0 at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday night and with the victory, Lionel Scaloni’s men – who had already qualified for the quarterfinals of the Copa América – won the group A with three wins out of three without conceding a goal.
The first half was played out with an overwhelming amount of possession (nearly 80%) and control from Argentina, but with no end result. The midfield trio of Leandro Paredes, Exequiel Palacios and Giovani Lo Celso worked hard to move the ball from side to side, often facing the wide threat of Ángel Di María and Alejandro Garnacho, who had decent starts as a starter.
Argentina pushed in the first 45 minutes but without enough conviction as Pedro Gallese – Orlando City’s Peruvian goalkeeper – ensured the score remained 0-0 at the break. The best attempt was a shot from Lo Celso as Gallese denied the Tottenham Hotspur man from 12 yards.
Without Lionel Messi, who was rested with Argentina’s progression already assured, it will always seem that Scaloni’s team is missing something and that was the case on Saturday: Argentina were looking for an answer to their domination but in vain.
Until the second half, when Argentina came back with more aggression and in the 47th minute, Lautaro Martínez, who seemed frustrated in the first half, scored the first goal thanks to a superb assist from Di María. It was his 27th career international goal for The Albiceleste.
Paredes failed to convert a penalty won by Gonzalo Montiel, but the world champions kept pushing, as did Martínez and, in the 86th minute, the Internazionale forward made it two with a superb shot. It was a fitting reward for a good night’s work.
In the end, Argentina never really broke a sweat, winning the match and the group in perfect style.
MANAGER’S RATING (1-10)
Lionel Scaloni, 9 years old — A patient approach from Scaloni, knowing that his team – without its best player – would end up slowly unveiling Peru’s plans. He trusted this rotating team, especially Martínez, and never stopped leading his team, standing from the bench until the final whistle.
PLAYER RATINGS (1-10; 10: best. Players introduced after 70 minutes receive no rating)
GK Emiliano Martinez, 7 years old — Very little to do in the first half. He didn’t need to stop and grabbed a free kick in the second as well as a potentially dangerous shot. Things got trickier towards the end, but in the end it was nothing he couldn’t handle and he kept another clean sheet, his third of the tournament.
DF Gonzalo Montiel, 7 — A solid game, imposing his presence once again in Peru, protecting the defense and always looking to move forward. Earned the penalty that was not scored.
DF German Pezzella, 7 –– Solid but not impressive control of the back line alongside Nicolás Otamendi. He didn’t have to do much defensively and was more responsible for directing the play from the back.
DF Nicolas Otamendi, 8 — Great ball for Di Maria in the first half. Overall solid leadership from the veteran defender, ensuring there were no major problems from the opposition.
DF Nicolás Tagliafico, 7 — Solid game, covering a lot of ground. Won a free kick and created a few chances for Garnacho and the others.
Mr. F. Leandro Paredes, 6 years old — Excellent control of the midfield in the first half and fired a long-range shot that went close. Generally strong throughout and only lost his cool in the latter stages with a yellow card. Missed the penalty which influenced his rating.
MF Giovani Lo Celso, 7 — Generally decent as a connector between midfield and attack, he saw a shot blocked by Gallese in the first half and was offside for a goal in the second.
MF Exequiel Palacios, 8 –– Moved the ball with ease, with a 100% pass success rate, ensuring Argentina kept their movement simple. Much of the Argentine midfielder’s good work started with him.
Alejandro Garnacho, 7 — Lively in the first half, moving with energy, causing headaches for the Peruvian right-back and even getting involved in a few interceptions. An encouraging debut for the 19-year-old.
FW Angel Di Maria, 8 — Di Maria put in another great performance, causing chaos as the game progressed. It was his magnificent assist that gave Martínez the opening goal.
Forward Lautaro Martínez, 9 — A frustrating first half for the striker immediately improved in the second with a good clean finish, taking Argentina into the lead. He never stopped running or working for the team, and continued to create chances and eventually earned his double. Four goals in three matches now for him.
REPLACEMENTS
MF Enzo Fernández, 6 — I came in and did the job without inflicting much harm on Peru.
MF Nico Gonzalez, 6 years old — Replaced Garnacho and was simple but effective.
MF Valentin Carboni, N/R — He replaced Di Maria once the match was won.
MF Guido Rodriguez, N/R — Replaced Parades, who was on a yellow card.
DF Lucas Martínez Quarta, N/R — He came on in the 83rd minute as Scaloni looked to run down the clock.
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