“My family is here and I play for them” - Lautaro Martinez reacts after scoring to help Argentina qualify for 2024 Copa America quarter-finals
Argentina forward Lautaro Martinez has reacted to scoring the winner in his side's Copa America group-stage game against Chile on Tuesday, June 25. The 1-0 victory ensured that La Albiceleste would make it through to the quarter-finals regardless of the result in their final group match.
With the game level at 0-0, Martinez managed to find the net from close range, which resulted from a scrappy corner situation in the box in the 88th minute.
After the match, the Inter Milan star said (via @RoyNemer):
"I stayed there and was able to score. These games are like that but we are able to win in it. We are happy because we ended up taking the three points, which is what we wanted. My family is here and I play for them."
Martinez did not start the match, coming on as a substitute in the 73rd minute for fellow attacker Julian Alvarez. After coming on, he managed to take two shots, both of which found the target. To date, Martinez has made 60 appearances for Argentina, bagging 26 goals and eight assists.
Following the win over Chile, Lionel Messi and company are top of Group A with six, three points clear of second-placed Canada.
Lionel Scaloni's men dominated possession (62%) and took 22 shots compared to Chile's three. Argentina's last group-stage game against Peru will take place on Saturday, June 29.
Lionel Scaloni hinted at a strong defensive approach for Argentina before the Copa America match against Chile
Ahead of the match, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni hinted at the fact that his side would look to stay defensively solid in an attempt to beat Chile.
The defending Copa America champions did just that, as Chile only had three attempts in the game. However, all three of those efforts were on target.
Scaloni said before the match (via CBS Sports):
"What we do is try to adjust, try to avoid damage to our team and we will try to find the spaces, given the opponent, but the opponent will set the tone of its attack and of course, we will be cautious about that and it's valid to do so."
It was a massive improvement on the defensive front after Argentina conceded 10 shots in their Copa America opener against Canada last Thursday (June 20).