Lautaro Martinez found the net for Argentina in a difficult match against a dogged Peru. The Copa America champions emerged 1-0 victors at the end.
Rodrigo De Paul and Angel Di Maria, both played superb crosses inside the 6-yard box early on in the game in vain as no Argentine player was inside the box.
Peru was awarded a free kick in the 6th minute for the foul on Yotun. However, Lapadula’s shot was saved easily by Emiliano Martinez. Two minutes later Argentina was awarded a free kick for a foul on Lionel Messi. De Paul’s delivery was headed home by Cristian Romero. However, the goal was disallowed because of the offside positioning of the defender.
Peru players were taking out Argentines at the first chance outside the penalty area. They conceded 20 fouls in the entire match.
Meanwhile, Rodrigo De Paul was having a great match. On his side’s end, he was making a last-ditch challenge on Lapadula and preventing his opponent from scoring. On the other end, he was delivering pinpoint crosses all night.
However, all the crosses were not in vain as Lautaro Martinez headed home his side’s winning goal at the end of the first half. Right-Back Nahuel Molina’s cross was met perfectly by the Inter Milan Talisman using his head. It was Lautaro Martinez’s 17th international goal in his 34th international appearance.
Peru was awarded a penalty in the 65th minute. However, Yotun fired the ball onto the crossbar as Peru missed a great chance to level the scoring.
Argentina held onto the lead to get all three points out of the match. They are behind Brazil in the South American standings with 25 points. Meanwhile, Brazil maintains their six-point lead over Argentina with a 4-1 win over Uruguay.
