The Floridian air was thick with anticipation – along with the humidity – Saturday as Miami, the new home of Lionel Messi, set the perfect stage for Argentina’s Copa America group-stage finale against Peru. The only problem? The star of the show didn’t show.
Messi – the talismanic force behind Argentina’s success – was forced to watch his nation’s victory over Peru from the bench after sustaining a groin injury against Chile earlier in the week.
Yet, even without their leading man, Argentina’s show went on as Lautaro Martinez‘s brace fueled the Albiceleste’s cruise to the top of Group A and sent Peru packing.
‘Leo is fine, we hope he can be in the next game. I dedicated the goal to him because I know what Leo means to us,’ acknowledged the goalscorer.
If Argentina were disheartened by the lack of their talisman they didn’t show it. Within the opening ten minutes they launched attack after attack in rapid succession.
Lautaro Martinez fired Argentina to a 2-0 win over Peru in the final Copa America group game
The Argentinians remained undefeated at the 2024 Copa America to top the group stage
Angel Di Maria tested Pedro Gallese, before Nicolas Tagliafico forced the Peruvian goalkeeper into action again just seconds later, leading to a corner which was flashed across the face of goal.
Argentina continued to threaten the Peruvian defense. Another free kick, this time from Leandro Paredes, was almost fumbled into goal by Gallese 26 minutes. Giovani Lo Celso should have scored when Gonzalo Montiel squared it to him in the center of the box on the brink of halftime.
The reigning champions simply outpaced, outshot and outclassed their opponents with 75 percent possession, a forward drive and an authority in midfield that Peru could not chip away at.
But Gallese denied the Albiceleste time and time again, withstanding the barrage, to see Peru cling on at 0-0 heading into halftime – a scoreline, which far from reflected the one-sided nature of the game.
Yet, that discordant score didn’t last much longer. In fact, it barely withstood two minutes of the second half when Di Maria played Martinez through. This time, there was no doubt. The Argentinian fans were already on their feet celebrating when the Inter Milan forward chipped over Gallese and into goal.
A second for the Argentinians felt inevitable, yet out of reach. Tagliafico saw an attempt chalked off in the 55th minute after tapping in the ball at the back post, while Paredes’ penalty in the 72nd minute thudded off the post. But finally, it came in the 86th minute once again from Martinez.
Saturday’s absence meant Messi has gone the group stage goalless but even without his input, Argentina’s well was not dry.
Argentina’s talismanic force, Lionel Messi, was forced to watch from the bench with injury
Martinez broke the deadlock just two minutes into the second half, chipping into goal
It was Martinez’s fourth of the tournament and Golden Boot-leading, helping his team to prime position going into the knockout round where either Ecuador or Mexico lie in wait.
It also sealed Peru’s fate with anything less than a win not enough to see Jorge Fossati’s side progress. Meanwhile, Canada and Chile played out a 0-0 tie in the other Group A clash to send the Canadians through to the quarterfinals.
Argentina’s dominance should have reaped more reward than their two goals but if that was to the disappointment of the fans, they didn’t show it.
A roar echoed from the 64,000 fans inside Hard Rock Stadium – the majority wearing a No. 10 Argentina jersey – every time Messi flashed upon the big screen even for a microsecond.
But it was his replacement who merited the praise on the pitch. Alejandro Garnacho, replacing the injured Messi on the left, shone. His explosive bursts down the wing and teetering dribbling into the box was reminiscent of the icon – the only thing missing was the finishing.
The Inter Milan striker double the Albiceleste’s lead four minutes from the final whistle
Assistant coach Samuel confessed that Messi’s condition was improving but insisted the team were still taking it day by day.
‘He was in the locker room, we noticed him better,’ said Samuel following the game.
‘The situation is improving but it’s a few days and the situation is premature to talk about. We’ll talk about it on a day-to-day basis with him, and talk to the doctors.’
No soccer fan wants to think about life after Messi. To the Argentinians, it’s an unbearable thought. But to those watching inside the home of the Miami Dolphins Saturday night, the fate of Argentina was in good hands.
Messi was not the only absentee. Even if the maestro had played it would have been without his conductor. Argentina was also without manager Lionel Scaloni, who was suspended for his halftime antics earlier in the week.
His stand-in Walter Samuel oversaw a starting XI with nine changes that was also without Alexi Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Marcos Acuna and Julian Alvarez. A testament to Argentina’s depth and future.
Angel Di Maria played Martinez through for the opening goal in the second half
The crowd inside the Hard Rock Stadium let out a roar every time benched Messi was shown
If this truly is to be Messi’s ‘Last Dance’ on the international stage – as the man himself expects it to be – Argentina proved Saturday that the show will go on.
In Miami’s sweltering heat, under the glare of the relentless scrutiny and heavy weight of both World Cup and Copa America crowns, Argentina was more than one star, it was a constellation.
Messi will have had nine days between matches to recover by the time Argentina plays its Copa America quarterfinal match on July 4 in Houston.
With his return combined with Scaloni’s arsenal of talent, Argentina are sure to battle through. The Miami masses may have missed out on the Messi show Saturday night, but how about a raincheck for the final on July 14?
