SOCCER-ARGENTINA BEAT PERU TO TOP COPA AMERICA GROUP A
MIAMI, Florida (Reuters) - Lautaro Martinez struck twice in the second half to help Argentina's second string beat Peru 2-0 at the Copa America on Saturday and finish top of Group A, knocking Peru out of the tournament.
Argentina had already qualified for the quarter-finals before the match in Miami with wins over Canada and Chile, the other teams in the group.
That security allowed the defending champions to rest key players, including captain Lionel Messi, but despite making nine changes to their starting line-up, Argentina were largely untroubled by their opponents.
Martinez finished off a flowing move in the 47th minute, coolly chipping the ball over Peru keeper Pedro Gallese, and repeated the trick in the 86th minute, chipping Gallese again for his second goal after some sloppy defending by Peru.
Argentina had a gilt-edged chance to extend their lead when they were awarded a penalty for handball in the 72nd minute, but Leandro Paredes smashed his spot-kick off the post.
They will be joined in the knockout rounds by group runners-up Canada, who qualified for the last eight after holding Chile to a 0-0 draw in the other Group A match.
(Reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard)
