Lautaro Martinez scored two goals in the second half to lead Argentina, which played the match with second-line players, to a 2-0 victory over Peru early today, Sunday, in the first group competitions in Copa America.
Argentina had already qualified for the quarter-finals before the match held in Miami, by defeating Canada and Chile in the first two rounds.
Securing qualification gave Argentina an opportunity to rest key players, including team captain Lionel Messi.
Despite making 9 changes to the main roster, the defending champion was almost never threatened by the competitor.
Martinez completed a smooth attack in the 47th minute, calmly shooting the ball over Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Galese, then he repeated the same thing in the 86th minute, shooting the ball again over Galese to score his second goal after a defensive stumble by the opposing team.
Argentina had a golden opportunity to extend the lead when they were awarded a penalty kick for handball in the 72nd minute, but Leandro Paredes' shot hit the post.
Argentina will be joined in the quarter-finals by Canada, the second team in the group, which qualified after a 0-0 draw with Chile in the other match in the first group.
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