Copa America: Lionel Messi suffers injury scare as Argentina scrape past Chile to reach quarter-finals
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByOli Gent
Published 26/06/2024 at 08:26 GMT
Lionel Messi was the subject of an injury scare in Argentina's 1-0 win over Chile at the Copa America, needing treatment in the first half. The Inter Miami forward said post-match that he hoped it was "nothing serious". Substitute Lautaro Martinez's 88th-minute goal was the difference as Lionel Scaloni's holders reached the quarter-finals, where they will play the second-placed team in Group B.
"Getting off to winning start important" - Messi pleased after Argentina victory
Argentina edged past Chile 1-0 in their second game at the Copa America, but they were left worried about captain Lionel Messi's fitness.
The Inter Miami forward was treated for an injury during the first half at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Lionel Scaloni's side qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament thanks to substitute Lautaro Martinez's 88th-minute winner.
Messi hit the post in the opening 45 minutes despite his injury worry, but Argentina were largely frustrated by a compact Chilean side who need to beat Canada in their last game in Group A if they are to reach the last eight.
Speaking post-match, Messi said that he hoped his injury was "nothing serious".
"It's bothering me a bit, but I was able to finish the match," Messi said. "I hope it's nothing serious. It was hard for me to move freely. Tomorrow we'll see how I feel.
"We knew it would be very physical. All the games are physical, and Chile are tough. They had a lot on the line... but we achieved our objective, winning, and we're into the quarter-finals."
Messi's partner up top to start matchday two was Julian Alvarez, but the Manchester City man failed to make an impact before his replacement, Martinez, struck the only goal.
On the world champions' selection headache, Scaloni told reporters: "Lautaro and Julian have played together. There's always the need for balance.
"Lautaro is very happy today, and Julian is too. I will always choose the one that I think is best suited for that match. Today Julian played, but we have 11 players. We have to balance the game plan.
"Sometimes there might be a disruption of that balance for any reason, but usually, I like playing with a good structure. We will be making choices [depending on the opponent] throughout the tournament."
Argentina, the defending champions, are the first team to qualify for the knockout stages, but the race to follow them out of Group A will go down to the wire on matchday three after Canada beat Peru 1-0 thanks to Jonathan David's goal.
Jesse Marsch's men occupy second place on three points after their win, which followed their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Messi and Argentina.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article