Argentina beats Chile 1-0 in Copa America quarterfinals with Martínez 88th-minute goal

Lautaro Martínez's late goal secures Argentina's win over Chile, guaranteeing a spot in Copa America quarterfinals. Messi's brilliance shines.

In a thrilling match at MetLife Stadium, defending champion Argentina secured a spot in the Copa America quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over Chile. The winning goal came in the 88th minute, as Lautaro Martínez calmly slotted home a rebound after a chaotic scramble in front of the Chilean goal.

The goal, Martínez's 26th for the national team, was confirmed after a three-minute video review, much to the delight of the sellout crowd of 81,106. Lionel Messi, playing a day after his 37th birthday, showcased his incredible skill throughout the match, coming close to scoring with a powerful shot that hit the post in the first half.

Argentina dominated the match, outshooting Chile 21-3 and earning 11 corner kicks to Chile's none. The win puts Argentina at the top of Group A with six points, tied with Canada. Chile and Peru have one point each, setting up an exciting final round of matches in Miami Gardens and Orlando.

The match marked the 46th anniversary of Argentina's first World Cup title, a poignant reminder of the team's storied history. The atmosphere at MetLife Stadium was electric, with the vast majority of fans donning Argentina jerseys, many with Messi's name and number on the back.

Both Messi and Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, former teammates at Barcelona, put on impressive performances, with Bravo making eight saves in his 150th international appearance. The narrow grass field, a departure from the stadium's usual artificial turf, added an element of challenge to the game.

As the teams walked onto the field for the national anthems, Messi and Bravo shared a moment of camaraderie, highlighting the respect and friendship between the two players. The victory for Argentina sets up an exciting conclusion to the group stage, with all eyes on Messi and his teammates as they aim to defend their Copa America title.

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