'%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 Lautaro Martinez explained his goal celebration with Lionel Messi after scoring in their 2-0 win over Peru in the Copa America 2024 on Saturday, June 29. He shared what the legend means to him and hoped for his recovery from injury.
La Albiceleste faced Peru at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida in their final group game of the tournament. Manager Lionel Scaloni decided to completely change his starting XI as they had already qualified for the quarter-finals. They still pulled off a comfortable 2-0 win.
Lionel Messi was on the bench but it was unlikely he was going to play a part due to an injury he suffered against Chile. Against Peru, Lautaro Martinez scored a brace (47', 86') and went straight to Messi to celebrate the goal. When asked about his celebration, he said after the game (via All About Argentina):
Trending
"Leo is fine, we hope he can be in the next game. I dedicated the goal to him because I know what Leo means to us."
Martinez is currently the top scorer at Copa America 2024 despite starting the first two games from the bench. He's scored four goals in three games. Lionel Messi, meanwhile, provided an assist for Martinez's first goal in their 2-0 win over Canada in the opening game.
Lionel Messi-led Argentina dominate Copa America 2024 group stages
La Albiceleste are looking to defend their Copa America title, having previously won it in 2021. They have had a brilliant start in their pursuit with sheer dominance in the group stages in the USA.
Argentina began their campaign with a 2-0 win over Canada courtesy of goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez. They then managed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chile, with Martinez scoring the winning goal. The Inter Milan striker then scored a brace in their final group game against Peru.
They topped Group A with nine points while Canada finished behind them with five points. The Lionel Messi-led side will now play in the quarter-finals on Thursday, July 5, but their opponents are yet to be decided. They would face the second-placed team from Group B, which could be Venezuela, Ecuador, or Mexico.
