Spokesman defended the actions of medical staff and local organisers after footage showed what appeared to be a hesitant response to the teenager's fall
sports2 days ago
Lautaro Martinez was pleased with his performance after he struck twice in the second half to help Argentina's second string beat Peru 2-0 at the Copa America on Saturday and finish top of Group A, knocking Peru out of the tournament.
Martinez, featuring in the starting line-up for the first time in the competition, found the net in the 47th and 86th minutes, scoring for a third straight match.
The Inter Milan striker finished off a flowing move in the 47th minute, coolly chipping the ball over Peru keeper Pedro Gallese, and repeated the trick in the 86th minute, chipping Gallese again for his second goal after some sloppy defending by Peru.
"I'm happy, because I was able to score in the three group-stage games and because I was able to help the team, which is what counts," Martinez, who was criticised for his performances in Argentina's World Cup-winning campaign in 2022, told TyC Sports.
"I'm fine, as I said when the match with Chile ended, I had a great season at my club and I felt good.
"I felt ready to get rid of the thorn from the World Cup, that was important for me, to prepare well for the Copa America, which I did and I'm showing it. Let's keep working."
Argentina had already qualified for the quarterfinals before the match in Miami with wins over Canada and Chile, the other teams in the group.
That security allowed the defending champions to rest key players, including captain Lionel Messi.
Messi, who celebrated his 37th birthday on Monday, is recovering from a thigh injury he picked up during their win over Chile on Tuesday. He is expected to return for their quarter-final match on Thursday in Houston against the Group B runner-up.
Despite the absence of their coach Lionel Scaloni, suspended and fined for late second-half starts in two previous matches, and a much-changed starting line-up, Argentina were largely untroubled by their opponents.
They dominated possession in the first half and had three attempts on target, but Peru's goalkeeper Gallese kept the scoreline respectable with a string of saves, the most notable of which came from a well-struck free kick by Leandro Paredes in the 26th minute.
The defending champions had a gilt-edged chance to extend their lead when they were awarded a penalty for handball in the 72nd minute, but Paredes smashed his spot-kick off the post.
They will be joined in the knockout rounds by group runners-up Canada, who qualified for the last eight after holding Chile to a 0-0 draw in the other Group A match.
Spokesman defended the actions of medical staff and local organisers after footage showed what appeared to be a hesitant response to the teenager's fall
sports2 days ago
Ronaldo, who missed a penalty in extra time, broke down in tears following the game as he was unable to finish an interview
sports2 days ago
Girmay timed his effort to perfection to beat Colombian Fernando Gaviria and Belgian Arnaud de Lie
sports3 days ago
The 'extremely dangerous' storm is expected to bring life-threatening winds and flash flooding in the Caribbean's Windward Islands
sports3 days ago
Pogacar will be hoping not to fade over the three weeks of the race after riding the Giro in May
sports4 days ago
The final match of the marquee event was Dravid's last game for the Men in Blue as their head coach
sports4 days ago
India beat South Africa to clinch the 2024 T20 World Cup title with a seven-run win in the final
sports4 days ago
The newly-turned professional will tee off alongside several Indian stars at the Royal Dar Es Salam Red Course next month
sports6 days ago