Inside Lionel Messi’s Path to Final After Argentina Qualify as Group Winners

Argentina sent out a clear statement of their intentions to retain their Copa America title after winning Group A with maximum points.

Lautaro Martinez scored a brace against Peru to ensure the World Champions maintained their perfect record in the competition.

The win was also impressive, given that the side was missing Lionel Messi, who was rested amid injury fears. Lionel Scaloni’s side are also yet to concede at the competition. They beat Canada 2-0 before seeing off Chile with a late Martinez goal.

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Their focus will now shift to the knock-out stage, which will begin on July 5. Unlike other major continental competitions, the Copa America doesn’t have the Round of 16, and it will go directly to the quarter-finals.

Who Argentina could face in Copa America knock-out stage

Sports Brief looks at Argentina’s possible path to the final in their pursuit of retaining the trophy.

The winner of Group A will face the runners-up of Group B in the last 8. As it stands, Venezuela is most likely to win that group after winning their opening two matches. This means that Argentina will play one of Ecuador or Mexico.

Ecuador and Mexico each have three points and play each other in the final group game. Jamaica have zero points and have already been eliminated despite the final result.

If Argentina plays Mexico, it would be a repeat of their 2022 World Cup group match, where Messi and Enzo Fernandez scored to put their campaign back on track.

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If they get through, Argentina will play the winner of the game between Group B winner and Group A runners-up for a place in the final. The latter has already been confirmed to be Canada, with Venezuela likely to clinch the former.

The other bracket of the draw will see Group C winner play Group D runners-up in the quarters, as Group D winner plays Group C’s runners-up in the other game. The winners of the two games will meet in the semis.

Ahead of the final round of games, Uruguay is in position to top Group C ahead of hosts, the USA. Colombia leads Group D ahead of Brazil. If the positions remain like this, Uruguay will play Brazil as Colombia take on the USA.

Messi talks about his injury concerns

Sports Brief reported on Messi providing an injury update on himself after Argentina’s win over Chile.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner admitted that the injury was bothering him, given that it was a place he hadn’t been injured before.