Defending champions, Argentina will aim to finish their group with a 100% record as they take on Peru, who come here in a must-win situation.
Argentina became the first team in this edition of the Copa America to book their place in the knockout rounds after their narrow victory over Chile as they get set to take on Peru. Substitute Lautaro Martinez’s 88th-minute winner secured three points, as the Inter Milan captain repeated the trick from the first game when he came off the bench to score in the 88th minute.
Lionel Scaloni will have wanted the game wrapped up early but will take the three points that now guarantee Argentina a top-two finish in Group A. The only potential threats to finishing as group winners stem from a potential loss to Peru and an emphatic Canadian victory over Chile.
Either way, Argentina are on course to finish as group winners in Copa America for the first time since 2016. Moreover, La Albiceleste have a tremendous record against Peru, having not lost any of their last 18 games against their opponents and losing only once overall since lifting the World Cup, which happened against Uruguay in one of their World Cup qualifiers.
While Argentina are through to the knockout phases, Peru are in a must-win situation. Otherwise, they will be eliminated from this edition of Copa America. After a goalless draw in the opening game against Chile, La Blanquirroja had to play the majority of their second half against Canada with ten men.
Miguel Araujo saw red in the 59th minute against Canada, and later, Jonathan David scored in the 74th minute in what proved to be the winner. While the win allowed Canada to make themselves big in the group and current favourites to finish second, Peru will have to spring a surprise and break their hoodoo against Argentina to stand a chance to progress from the group.
Team News & Tactics
Argentina
Lionel Scaloni could make wholesale changes to his lineup to rest his key players and allow many of his fringe stars to get minutes in the tournament. For instance, Lucas Martinez Quarta, German Pezzella, Exequiel Palacios, Guido Rodriguez, and Alejandro Garnacho have yet to play a single minute in the Copa America, and some of those could be in for a start.
Lionel Messi is a significant doubt for this one, having tweaked his hamstring during the Chile clash. He was moving uncomfortably by the end of the game, and Scaloni might see to it the skipper gets a deserved rest for this encounter against Peru. Angel Di Maria could be his ideal replacement on the right side of the attack, while Scaloni could change his formation to a 4-3-3 to accommodate the changes to his lineup.
Nicolas Otamendi and German Pezzella could be the preferred centre-back pairing for this clash, while Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna could play in the full-back roles. Alexis Mac Allister might retain his spot in midfield but will have new partners around him, with Rodriguez and Exequeil Palacios likely to come into the lineup.
Similarly, Garnacho and Lautaro Martinez could start in the front three alongside Di Maria, with the Inter Milan captain eager to make it three goals in as many appearances in the tournament so far.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Armani; Montiel, Otamendi, Pezzella, Acuna; Mac Allister, Rodriguez, Palacios; Di Maria, La. Martinez, Garnacho
Peru
Miguel Araujo’s red card against Canada makes him unavailable for the Argentina clash, and it will be a big blow for Jorge Fossati’s side and their slim chances of progression. Anderson Santamaria is expected to replace Araujo, and Peru will likely retain their shape with a back three.
Carlos Zambrano and Alexander Callens are the other two defenders expected to play at the back. There are still doubts about Luis Advincula ahead of this clash with Argentina, as the attacker may have yet to fully recover from the Achilles injury during their opener against Chile.
Hence, Marcos Lopez might continue to play as their left wing-back. In the attack, Fossati might once again bench all-time leading goalscorer Paolo Guerrero for this one. He needs one more strike to equal Teodoro Fernandez’s record for the most goals by a Peruvian in the Copa America. The manager will continue with a two-prone strike force consisting of Edison Flores and Gianluca Lapadula.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Gallese; Santamaria, Zambrano, Callens; Polo, Pena, Cartagena, Quispe, Lopez; Flores, Lapadula
Key Stats
- Argentina have lost only twice in 59 games since the summer of 2019, and including only one since lifting the World Cup.
- Argentina have not lost to Peru in their last 18 games.
- Argentina have kept two clean sheets in as many games at the Copa America 2024.
- Peru have yet to score in the Copa America 2024.
- Peru have failed to score in each of their last four meetings with Argentina.
Player to Watch
Lautaro Martinez
The Inter Milan captain has not started a single game for Argentina at the Copa America but finds himself at the top of the Golden Boot charts alongside three other players. The striker came off the bench in the first two games and scored in the 88th minute on both occasions as he aims to make it three in three.
Having had a tremendous season with Inter, he might not be the preferred centre-forward option under Lionel Scaloni. Scaloni prefers to start Julian Alvarez alongside Messi in a front two of sorts. However, Martinez has a chance to show his manager that he could be the primary choice ahead of the Manchester City attacker, and for that, he needs a good enough performance against Peru.
Prediction
Argentina 2-0 Peru
The defending champions have looked solid at the back, and while Lionel Scaloni is expected to make wholesale changes, he will still expect his team to keep a clean sheet. Argentina have yet to find their ruthless scoring streak, but this could be the game for that to begin.
Peru, on the other hand, have struggled for relevance and might continue to do so, as their attack may not be good enough to crack the Argentine code. Hence, Scaloni’s side are expected to win this encounter comfortably and keep a clean sheet, meaning Peru might exit the tournament without finding the back of the net.
