Lautaro Martínez double for Argentina sinks Peru in Copa América

Lautaro Martínez struck twice in the second half to help Argentina’s second string beat Peru 2-0 at the Copa América on Saturday and finish top of Group A, knocking Peru out of the tournament. Martínez, 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 firstly finished off a flowing move, coolly chipping the ball over Peru keeper Pedro Gallese, and repeated the trick to seal the winl after some sloppy defending by Peru.

Argentina had already qualified for the quarter-finals before the match in Miami with wins over Canada and Chile. 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.

Argentina missed the presence of their talisman in the first half, as the world champions struggled to create quality scoring opportunities. La Albiceleste dominated possession in the first half and had three attempts on target, but Gallese kept the scoreline respectable with a string of saves. The most notable save 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.

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.

Argentina 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.