Argentina edged past Chile in the second group stage game of the Copa America 2024. An 88th-minute goal from Lautaro Martinez sent the reigning champions into the quarter-finals of the competition. The three-time world champion completely dominated the Reds as they took 22 shots in the game and 9 were on target. If Claudio Bravo had not been there the scoreline would have been much worse for the 2016 Copa champions.
After the goal was scored the Chilean fans were furious and they showed some obscene gestures toward Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who after the goal provoked the fans by standing in the advertisement hoardings behind the goal post. The Aston Villa shot-stopper is known for his on-field provocations to the fans and the footballers as well. He has been doing this since the 2021 Copa America edition penalty shootouts and did it in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2022 as well.
The 2022 World Cup Golden Gloves winner did an infamous and controversial celebration with the Golden Glove for his heroics in the final his heroics continued into the shootout when Aston Villa 'keeper employed all the tricks in the book to put off the France takers.
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Argentina finally defeats Chile
Argentina had a redemption with the side losing the final back in 2016 against the same opponent. They finally defeated the side 8 years later in the major tournament. They were dominant throughout the game, but could not find the opening Bravo made 9 saves in the game till he conceded the goal in the dying minutes of the game. Lionel Messi and Nico Gonzalez were denied by the frame of the goal.
The Inter striker had another chance but he failed to score a tap-in in the final minutes of the game. The current world champions are yet to concede a goal in the tournament as they have kept two clean sheets in back-to-back games and Martinez has been the very big reason for the same as he made some crucial saves in the first game and the second as well.