Copa America: Argentina also wins against Peru

Defending champions Argentina have reached the final group stage of the Copa America in the United States.

After a 2-0 (0-0) win over Peru at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Argentina qualified for the quarter-finals without dropping a point or conceding a goal. Canada also advances to the next round as guests for the first time in the South American Championship after drawing 0-0 with Chile.

The South American and world champions had a tough time at the start, so the half-time break was scoreless. Things happened quickly after that: two minutes into the second half, Lautaro Martinez made it 1-0. After a missed penalty kick by Albiceleste, it was Martinez who prevailed again after a beautiful pass and scored to make the final score 2-0.

Save Messi and stop Scaloni

The world champions had to do without Lionel twice: neither star Lionel Messi nor coach Lionel Scaloni took part in the match. Messi suffered a thigh injury in the second group match against Chile (1-0), which is why the coaching staff rested him in the quarter-finals.

Scaloni was suspended by continental governing body CONMEBOL over his team's repeated late comebacks from the first half in recent matches. Assistant coach Walter Samuel took over. This time against Peru, the Argentines were the first to take to the field at the start of the second half.

Canada also made their first appearance in the quarterfinals.

About 250 kilometers to the north, in Orlando, Canada captain Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) was simultaneously celebrating the team's qualification to the quarter-finals. Behind record holders Argentina, debutant Canada surprisingly secured its ticket to the Copa America quarterfinals in Group A. The North American team finished second in the group with four points and scored only one goal, while Chile failed to score for the first time since 1917 in the oldest national championship in the world and scored only two points. Chilean Gabriel Suazo received an early red-yellow card (27').

Canada and Argentina, who both won three matches without conceding a goal in the preliminary round, are in Group B. Venezuela will top the group if they draw with bottom-placed Jamaica on Sunday (local time). A draw with Mexico is enough for Ecuador to advance, as the two teams are level on points before their match.