Argentina vs Peru Preview
Tournament: Copa America 2024
Date: Sunday, 30th June
Kick-off time: 12:00 AM GMT
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium
The defending champions Argentina will play their final group fixture of the Copa America 2024 against under-performing Peru this weekend. Lionel Messi’s team will enter this contest off the back of two consecutive victories and will look to continue their winning run to send a strong message to other teams who aim to dethrone La Albiceleste. Since lifting the CONMEBOL championship in 2021, Argentina have become one of the strongest sides to beat at the international level.
In Group A, being pitted against the likes of Canada, Chile and Peru, they got off to a great start in the South American Championship after registering a comfortable 2-0 win over the Canadians in the curtain raiser of the tournament. To put cherry on top, Lionel Scaloni’s boys also managed to win a thriller against their old foes Chile in their second game, thanks to a late winner from Lautaro Martinez. A win or a draw will lead them to finish the group stage as the table toppers. And against the struggling Peruvians, they are expected to run away with their third win of the tournament.
Peru, on the other hand, sit bottom of the group A, after failing to record a single win from their last two matches. After holding Chile to a goalless draw, La Bicolor fell to a 0-1 loss to Canada. As things stand, a knockout berth looks elusive for them. Anything less than three points against Argentina will eliminate them from Copa America.
After two group stage match days, La Albiceleste sit in the first position with six points, while Peru are at the bottom with only one point. Canada and Chile are in the second and third position respectively.
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Argentina vs Peru Team News
Argentina National Football Team News
The most unexpected news that is coming out of the Argentine camp is that Lionel Messi will not play in this match. The 2022 World Cup winner sustained a high thigh injury in the match against Chile, and received massage treatment on the turf and played the entire game. However, coach Scaloni has confirmed that Messi is not fully fit and they are assessing his fitness situation. However, the Argentine manager also stressed that he might consider playing some of the reserve players, who have not been given a chance to play so far, meaning some prominent starters including Messi will miss out.
The goal scorer against Chile, Lautaro Martinez, might start ahead of Julian Alvarez, given his solid performance. After netting two goals in two matches as a substitute, he might be included in the starting XI against Peru. In 60 matches in total, he has already scored 26 times across all competitions. Scaloni is likely to make 3-4 changes in his starting line-up. Nicolas Otamendi is expected to return to the playing XI.
Peru National Football Team News
Head coach Jorge Fossati sounded optimistic after his side drew against Chile. However, things might change in the Peruvian camp after the defeat to Canada. Fossati is unlikely to make any change in the playing squad as that might disturb the rhythm in his setup. Gianluca Lapadula showed stellar performance in the final third, but unfortunately could not produce anything out of it. He will once again be one of the key attacking figures for Peru. There is still no injury concern for La Bicolor.
Predicted Line-ups
Argentina Predicted Lineup (4-4-2): Emi Martinez; Otamendi, L. Martinez, Acuna, Molina; Lo Celso, Paredes, De Paul, Gonzalez; Lautaro Martinez, Di Maria
Peru Predicted Lineup (3-5-2): Gallese; Zambrano, Callens, Santamaria; Lopez, Pena, Quispe, Polo, Cartagena; Flores, Lapadula
Head-to-head Stats
In the last five contests between these two nations, La Albiceleste have emerged victorious on three occasions, with two remaining matches ending as draws. Argentina netted seven goals in these encounters, while La Bicolor managed only two goals.
Last five H2H Results:
Peru 0-2 Argentina (2023, World Cup qualifiers)
Argentina 1-0 Peru (2021, World Cup qualifiers)
Peru 0-2 Argentina (2020, World Cup qualifiers)
Argentina 0-0 Peru (2017, World Cup qualifiers)
Perú 2-2 Argentina (2016, World Cup qualifiers)
Key Players to Watch in Argentina vs Peru
Lautaro Martinez (Argentina)
Martinez has been fired since Julian Alvarez was given starts ahead of him. He is the top scorer of this current Argentine setup at Copa America 2024 with two goals. He scored these goals after coming off the bench on two occasions. As Scaloni has hinted at a possible squad reshuffle to give rest to the regulars, Martinez might start against Peru. Given the form he is in, it won’t be surprising to see another one or two goals from him.
Gianluca Lapadula (Peru)
Peru have not scored a single goal so far in this edition of Copa America. One of the main attackers, Lapadula, have failed to find the necessary targets despite being super active near the penalty area. In 35 appearances so far, the 34-year-old Cagliari striker has netted 9 goals for Peru. He will be looking to end his Copa goal drought against Argentina.
Argentina vs Peru Prediction
To make a Prediction of this match is like a walk in the park. The 2022 World Cup Champions are enjoying spring at the moment, breaking all the obstacles coming their way. Argentina are once again favorites to clinch their third consecutive win in the South American Championship when they take on Peru in their final group contest. However, with the sights of elimination looming large, the Peruvians will definitely put La Albiceleste to a tough test.
Predicted Score: Argentina 2-1 Peru
Where to Watch Argentina vs Peru Live?
Q. Where to watch Argentina vs Peru live in India?
FanCode will telecast the Argentina vs Peru match live in India.
Q. Where to watch Argentina vs Peru live in the USA?
FOX Sports and TUDN will provide the live telecast of Argentina vs Peru in the USA.
Q. Where to watch Argentina vs Peru live in the UK?
Premier Sports will telecast the Argentina vs Peru game in the UK.
Q. Where to watch Argentina vs Peru live in Argentina?
The Argentina vs Peru match will be telecasted live across TyC Sports and Tele Publica in Argentina.
Q. Where to watch Argentina vs Peru live in Peru?
America TV will provide the live telecast and streaming of this match in Peru.
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