Messi And Martinez Lead Argentina To Stylish 4-1 Win Against Guatemala Ahead Of Copa America
Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez each scored twice as Argentina secured a 4-1 victory over Guatemala in their final preparation match for the Copa America. The match, held at FedEx Field, saw Argentina recover from an early setback to dominate proceedings.
Guatemala took a surprising lead within four minutes, courtesy of an own goal by Lisandro Martinez. This marked Guatemala's first-ever goal against Argentina. However, Lionel Messi, making his 182nd appearance for his country, equalised eight minutes later after capitalising on a poor clearance by goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen.
Just before half-time, Argentina were awarded a penalty when Nicolas Samayoa fouled Valentin Carboni. Lautaro Martinez converted from the spot to give Argentina the lead. The duo of Messi and Martinez combined again for Argentina's third goal, with Martinez doubling his tally after being set up by Messi.
Messi sealed the victory late on, lofting the ball over Hagen following a precise pass from Angel Di Maria. This comprehensive win sets a positive tone for Lionel Scaloni's team as they head into the Copa America.
Guatemala struggled to compete with their more experienced opponents, managing only four attempts without hitting the target. Their expected goals (xG) stood at 0.18. In contrast, Argentina recorded 3.07 xG, with Messi and Martinez contributing significantly to this figure.
| Team | Goals | Expected Goals (xG) | Total Shots | Shots on Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 4 | 3.07 | 13 | 9 |
| Guatemala | 1 | 0.18 | 4 | 0 |
Copa America Campaign Ahead
Argentina will begin their Group A campaign against Canada on June 21. They will then face Chile and Peru as they aim to retain their Copa America title. The team’s performance against Guatemala suggests they are in good form heading into the tournament.
The match statistics highlight Argentina's dominance, with Messi and Martinez playing pivotal roles. Their combined efforts resulted in 13 shots, significantly outnumbering Guatemala's attempts.
This victory provides a confidence boost for Lionel Scaloni's squad as they prepare for the challenges ahead in the Copa America. The team's ability to recover from an early setback and control the game bodes well for their upcoming matches.
The upcoming fixtures will test Argentina's resolve as they seek to defend their title. With key players like Messi and Martinez in fine form, expectations are high for another successful campaign.
#SeleccinMayor @Argentina 4 (Lionel #Messi x2 y Lautaro Martnez x2) #Guatemala (Lisandro Martnez e/c) Final del partido! El elenco comandado por Lionel #Scaloni har su debut en la @CopaAmerica el prximo jueves.
— Seleccin Argentina (@Argentina) June 15, 2024
The team’s next challenge will be crucial as they aim to build on this momentum and perform strongly in the tournament opener against Canada.
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