Lautaro Martinez Strikes Late to Propel Argentina to Copa America Quarters

Lautaro Martinez's crucial 88th-minute goal lifted defending champions Argentina to a 1-0 win over Chile, securing their spot in the Copa America quarterfinals. Lionel Messi's stellar performance added flair to the match, leaving an adoring crowd in awe. The win places Argentina atop Group A.

Lautaro Martinez scored off a rebound in the 88th minute, delivering a critical 1-0 victory for defending champions Argentina against Chile, ensuring their place in the Copa America quarterfinals.

The decisive moment came after Lionel Messi's corner kick was rebounded by Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. Martinez's strike, his second goal of the tournament, followed a tense three-minute video review to confirm its legitimacy.

Argentina, which leads Group A with six points, will face Peru next, while Canada and Chile will clash in the final round. Messi, showcasing his skill before a crowd of 81,106 at MetLife Stadium, also made several attempts to score, narrowly missing on multiple occasions.