Canada send Chile crashing out of Copa América; Argentina stay perfect | OneFootball

Copa América Group A action concluded on Saturday with the final two games.

Here is what went down.

Martinez the hero for perfect Argentina

Scorer: Martinez 47′, 86′

Without Lionel Messi, Argentina turned to another big-name star and ground out a 2-0 win over Peru.

Argentina dominated possession of the ball during the first 45 minutes (80%) but struggled to create anything worthwhile.

Angel Di Maria and Alejandro Garnacho were lively, but Leandro Paredes came closest to opening the scoring. However, goalkeeper Pedro Gallese saved his laser of a free-kick.

Peru would have welcomed the fact that they were 0-0 against the World Champions but less than two minutes after the restart, Argentina struck.

Inter striker Lautaro Martinez broke the deadlock after splitting two defenders and chipping home in slick fashion.

Argentina continued to control the game and pushed for a second. However, Paredes was again denied after his penalty hit the post.

Martinez eventually added his second on the night and fourth of the tournament to secure the victory. He now has four goals in three games at the tournament and leads the Golden Boot race.

The result means they finished with three wins from three in the group stage and topped Group A. Peru, meanwhile, finished bottom of the group.

Canada hold on for historic qualification

Scorers: N/A. Red: Suazo 27′

Debutants Canada booked a historic spot in the Copa América quarter-finals after a 0-0 draw with 10-man Chile.

It was a feisty opening 20 minutes between the two countries with a yellow each as tempers flared.

The atmosphere eventually led to a sending-off when Gabriel Suazo was shown a second yellow for a late challenge on Richie Laryea.

However, Canada could have been the ones down a man, as Moise Bombito was lucky to evade a red card after a high elbow on Rodrigo Echeverría’s face.

With a man advantage, Cyle Larin and Stephen Eustaquio had chances to break the deadlock, but Gabriel Arias (who was in for the injured veteran Claudio Bravo) made two key saves.

Chile never looked out of the game despite playing with 10 and instead frustrated Canada’s attack throughout the second half.

The game continued to be a tale of choppy efforts and both sides fell short of finding the net. Substitute Tani Oluwaseyi thought he scored a stoppage-time winner but was ruled offside.

In the end, the Canadians were the ones left smiling as 2015 and 2016 Copa América winners Chile bowed out early.