Winner of two of their three group matches before this fourth round, Argentina pranced at the top of Group A, but had not really offered a great show. What could be better than facing the bottom of the class to reassure yourself before the quarter-finals? This is what happened last night in Mato Grosso.
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Lionel Scaloni had decided to line up a 4-2-3-1 in which we found most of the albocelest stars in front. Only Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez started on the bench. A choice that quickly paid off. From the sixth minute, Papu Gomez took advantage of an alien pass from Lionel Messi to crucify Carlos Lampe with an unstoppable left end (1-0, 6th).
Messi, 2 goals, 1 assist
About twenty minutes later, the same two men stood out, but this time, it was Messi who took advantage of a Lamp foul on Gomez to transform an obvious penalty (2-0, 33rd). The station wagon was done. Less than ten minutes later, the FC Barcelona star offered himself a nice double by deceiving the opposing goalkeeper thanks to a service from Dun Agüero (3-0, 42nd). Mass was said.
Back from the locker room, Erwin Saavedra saved the honor of the Bolivians (3-1, 60th). The Argentines were trying at all costs to score Agûero, but it was ultimately Lautaro Martinez who sealed the fate of the match (4-1, 65th). In the other match of the group, between Uruguay and Paraguay, a penalty from Edinson Cavani in the 21st minute allowed Celeste to win on the smallest of scores (1-0). A short success that allows him to avoid the Brazilian offer in the quarterfinals.
Quarter-finals program:
Friday July 2:
- Brazil-Chile
- Peru-Paraguay
Saturday July 3:
- Argentina-Ecuador
- Uruguay-Colombia
Semi-finals program:
Monday July 5:
- Brazil or Chile – Peru or Paraguay
Tuesday July 6:
- Argentina or Ecuador – Uruguay or Colombia
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