On the morning of June 30, the Argentine team played without Messi (due to injury) and coach Scaloni (due to a coaching ban), but the Albiceleste still secured an easy 2-0 victory over Peru. In another match, the Canadian team drew 0-0 with Chile, securing their place in the next round.

Recent updates on Messi have reassured Argentina fans, as the 37-year-old star only needs rest to fully recover from his injury and will be available for the quarter-finals. He was on the bench when Argentina faced Peru at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on June 30, in the final match of Group A.

Without Messi and coach Scaloni, the Argentina team was led by assistant coach and former renowned player Walter Samuel. The lineup saw changes with new players like striker Alejandro Garnacho, midfielder Exequiel Palacios, and defender German Pezzella being given starting opportunities.

Despite these changes, the Albiceleste still featured top stars such as Di Maria, striker Lautaro Martinez, midfielders Paredes, Lo Celso, and their number one goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

This mixed formation allowed the Argentine team to dominate against the significantly weaker Peru team. However, despite overwhelming play and numerous chances in the first half, the Albiceleste strikers failed to convert their opportunities. Among them, 19-year-old Garnacho from MU Club had a chance to score his first goal for the team, but his shot was blocked by Peru’s goalkeeper, Pedro Gallese.

In the second half, in the first minute, the Argentine team organized an extremely fast attack initiated by striker Lautaro Martinez, before being assisted by Di Maria to score the opening goal of the match.

In the 87th minute, Lautaro Martinez once again scored to increase the score to 2-0 to seal the victory for the Albiceleste. This double goal helped Lautaro Martinez have 4 goals after 3 group stage matches, rising to the top of the top scorer tournament.

The Argentine team could have secured an even larger victory if midfielder Paredes had not missed a penalty kick in the 72nd minute.

Nevertheless, this result is satisfying for coach Scaloni’s team, as they won all three group stage matches, earning a perfect 9 points, scoring 5 goals, and conceding none. Most importantly, they provided ample rest for star player Messi to prepare for the quarter-final match on July 5, where the top team from Group A will face the runner-up from Group B (potentially Ecuador or Mexico).