Player ratings as Lautaro Martinez sends Argentina into Copa America quarter-finals

Argentina booked their ticket to the quarter-finals of the Copa America 2024 thanks to Lautaro Martinez's late-game heroics that saw his side through to Chile.

After getting past Canada in their first match of the tournament, Argentina faced a team they beat back-to-back Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016. Lionel Scaloni made three changes to his starting XI tonight, bringing in Nicolas Tagliafico, Enzo Fernandez, and Nico Gonzalez against Chile at the MetLife Stadium.

How the game happened

As expected, Argentina had Chile pinned after the kick-off and didn't spend more than a few minutes without the ball at their feet. Despite holding the lead, the reigning Copa America champions had just five chances in the first 30 minutes of the match. A tough fight from Chile, multiple injuries on both sides, and plenty of whistles made for a disjointed first half.

Argentina's first goal came from Lionel Messi in the 36th minute. The Inter Miami man unleashed a direct strike from 25 yards that brushed the right post before going wide. Claudio Bravo was off the mark, and if Messi's shot had been a few inches to the left, Argentina would have gone into the break 1-0 up. Instead, both sides were goalless at halftime, with Chile not recording a single shot.

Chile started the second half with more energy than they showed in the first. La Roja had a few spells of possession, but they relied heavily on long balls that were often misplaced. Argentina, on the other hand, never looked like they were behind. In fact, they were denied by the woodwork again as Gonzalez unleashed a left-footed rocket just inside the box that hit the crossbar in the 61st minute.

La Roja finally found themselves in front in the final 25 minutes of the match, forcing saves from Martinez, including a volley from Echeverria in the 75th minute. Chile's hard work was to no avail, however, as Lautaro Martinez scored in the 88th minute to seal the match for Argentina. Messi took a dangerous corner kick in the box before falling to the striker for an easy finish.

GK: Emiliano Martínez – 7/10 – Martinez had little to do against Canada and even less against Chile in the first half, but La Roja forced a key second-half save that won the 2022 Golden Glove World Cup to keep Chile scoreless.

RB: Nahuel Molina – 6/10 – Molina's defense wasn't needed tonight against an inferior opponent, but the defender still found himself stuck in the attack until he was forced to save Bravo for what would have been the first goal.

CB: Cristian Romero – 6/10 – Romero and Argentina's backline were rarely put to the test tonight, but the defender did his job and blocked a few chances for Chile to try.

CB: Lisandro Martínez – 6/10 – Martinez also looked sharp alongside Romero, keeping a clean sheet and shutting down Vargas every time the Chilean threatened to go forward.

LB: Nicolas Tagliafico – 5/10 – Tagliafico played well tonight in place of Acuna, often creating space down the left side with his supporting runs, but failed to announce himself as the man for the starting job.

CM: Rodrigo de Paul – 5/10 – Rodrigo de Paul had a few uncharacteristic passes in midfield, which is often the reason Argentina lose possession. The Tottenham man also made a dangerous ball on Suazo in the first half that should have seen him go in the referee's book.

CM: Enzo Fernandez – 5/10 – After playing zero minutes against Canada, Enzo Fernandez started tonight after Paredes got knocked up in training. The midfielder looked different at times and could not contribute and control the level as he did in the 2022 World Cup. He was sent off in the 64th minute.

CM: Alexis McAllister – 5/10 – Mac Allister recorded an assist against Canada, but the midfielder was out of favor tonight. He did not leave a lasting impact in midfield and lacked the intelligence Argentina needed to break through Chile's strong defence.

RW: Lionel Messi – 7/10 – Almost all of the dangerous balls in Argentina's final third came from Lionel Messi. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner hit the post in the first half, and set up Gonzalez who hit the crossbar. Messi also received treatment on his groin on the sidelines after a difficult tackle in the first half.

ST: Julian Álvarez – 6/10 – Despite Alvarez's impressive goal in the first half, the Manchester City man was quiet in the final third. He had a decent work rate, however, constantly harassing Chile's defenders and forcing Bravo to quickly release the ball downfield.

LW: Nico Gonzalez – 7/10 – With Di Maria rested, Gonzalez got another chance to show his manager what he brings to Argentina's attack. He had a few important moments where he easily passed Isla on the left side, he was denied a goal by the crossbar.

What you are holding

Giovanni Lo Celso – 5/10 – Lo Celso played the most minutes of the five players, but failed to have an impact on the game.

Lautaro Martinez – 7/10 – Martinez came up with another late goal, breaking the deadlock to give his team all three points.

Angel Di Maria – 6/10 – Di Maria immediately fueled Argentina's attack, using his new legs to drive past defenders.

Gonzalo Montiel – 5/10 – Montiel played only seven minutes and stoppage time, earning five regular points.

Marcos Acuna – 5/10 – Like Montiel, Acuna wasn't on the field long enough to make his presence felt.

The manager

Lionel Scaloni – 6/10 – Scaloni made a few changes to his starting XI for the evening, but the player who could have had the biggest impact on the game was left on the bench. Julian Alvarez was named to start alongside Messi in place of Lautaro Martinez, with Argentina unable to find success in the final third.

Lautaro Martinez outplayed his manager and team-mates with his 88th-minute winner, once again proving he deserves to be on the pitch from the start.