Substitute Lautaro Martinez netted an 88th-minute goal, securing Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Chile and ensuring their advance to the Copa America quarter-finals on Tuesday. Lionel Messi nearly scored for Argentina in the first half, hitting the post, but it was goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez who kept the score level before Lautaro’s decisive strike clinched the win in front of 82,000 fans at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Despite numerous chances, the 15-time Copa America champions struggled to break the deadlock earlier due to a combination of missed opportunities and an impressive performance by Chile’s 41-year-old goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
Stadium and Early Dominance
MetLife Stadium, home to the NFL’s New York Jets and New York Giants and a future venue for the 2026 World Cup final, was transformed into a supportive arena for Argentina. The enthusiastic crowd witnessed Messi and his team dominate the early stages of the game. Julian Alvarez forced Bravo into a save in the 22nd minute with a first-time shot following a pull-back from the byline by Nicolas Gonzalez.
Messi’s Near Miss
Chile effectively limited Messi’s influence, frequently marking him with multiple players. However, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner came close to scoring in the 36th minute with a 25-yard shot that clipped the outside of the post.
Argentina’s Persistence and Chile’s Resilience
Chile, who had previously defeated Argentina in the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals, including a painful loss at MetLife Stadium that led to Messi briefly quitting international football, remained tough. Despite this, Argentina, buoyed by their world champion status, exuded confidence and believed they could ultimately break through.
Bravo continued to excel after halftime, saving a powerful near-post shot from Nahuel Molina and reacting swiftly to push a fierce drive from Nicolas Gonzalez onto the bar. Chile counter-attacked effectively, and Argentina’s goalkeeper Martinez had to make two crucial saves to deny Rodrigo Echeverria.
Lautaro’s Crucial Goal
The breakthrough came when Chile failed to clear an in-swinging corner from Messi, allowing Lautaro Martinez to score the winning goal, which was confirmed after a lengthy VAR check for offside. Lautaro nearly added a second goal following a breakaway by Angel Di Maria, but the single goal was sufficient to secure Argentina’s second consecutive win, confirming their place in the next round with one game to spare.
“I got in there and was able to score. These games are always challenging. We need to continue playing with the same approach, treating each game with seriousness because they will all be tough,” Lautaro told TyC Sports.
