'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Argentina striker Alejandro Garnacho is set to start in place of captian Lionel Messi for their final 2024 Copa America group game with Peru on Sunday (June 29) in Miami. Messi is being rested ahead of the all-important quarterfinal next week.
Lionel Scaloni are through to the knockouts after winning their opening two games without conceding, beating Canada 2-0 and 2015-16 Copa winners Chile by a solitary goal. Messi complained of discomfort in the Chile game but played 90 minutes in both outings, notching up an assist.
As per Albiceleste (via Gaston Edul), Manchester United attacker Garnacho is set to start in attack against Peru as the Albicelestte eye a third straight win before the knockouts.
Trending
Garnacho is coming off a breakthrough campaign at Old Trafford, contributing 10 goals and five assists in 50 games across competitions. He's now set for his Copa America debut after sitting on the bench in the first two games.
The 19-year-old is yet to open his Albiceleste account in five games since making his senior debut in a 2-0 friendly win over Australia in May 2023.
Copa America 2024: Argentina captain Lionel Messi yet to get off the mark
Argentina captain Lionel Messi is yet to get off the mark in two games at the ongoing Copa America 2024 in the United States despite starting both games.
He did notch up an assist in the 2-0 opening win over Caanda as La Albiceleste got their title defence underway with a win. In their next game - a rematch of the 2015-16 finals with Chile - Lionel Scaloni's charges prevailed, thanks to a late strike from Lautaro Martinez.
With the Inter Miami striker likely not featuring against Peru, he will hope that his team continue their winning start as they seek to become the first back-to-back Copa champions since Chile in 2016.
It will also be their fourth straight senior international title following their triumphs at 2021 Copa America, 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
