EAST RUTHERFORD: Argentina became the first side to book passage into the Copa America quarterfinals after a late strike from Lautaro Martinez earned them a 1-0 Group A victory over Chile on Tuesday.
After a cautious opening spell Argentina took the game by the scruff of the neck but wasted several opportunities to score, Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Gonzalez testing keeper Claudio Bravo with tame efforts, while Lionel Messi hit the post with a long-range effort.
Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister spurned a golden chance in the second half before Chile began to exert some control, with Rodrigo Echeverria drawing a save from Emiliano Martinez.
Just as it looked like Argentina would be made to rue their missed chances substitute Martinez pounced on a rebound from a corner and lashed home a right-footed shot in the 88th minute to ensure victory and a top-two spot in the group for the defending champions.