Argentina 2-0 Peru: Player ratings as Lautaro Martinez bags a brace without Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez

Even without Lionel Messi and Lionel Scaloni, Argentina still defeated Peru 2-0 to remain perfect at Copa America 2024 ahead of the Knockout Stage.

Argentina already qualified for the Copa America 2024 quarter-finals after earning six points in their first two matches, therefore Lionel Scaloni rested a majority of his starters against Peru, including Lionel Messi, who is dealing with a minor injury. Instead of the traditional XI that won the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup, La Albiceleste's backups got the opportunity to show their manager what they bring to the team.

How the game unfolded

Despite no Lionel Messi, Argentina got off to a dominant start, earning four corners in the first fifteen minutes of play. Every ball delivered by Angel Di Maria was into a dangerous area, and a set piece goal felt inevitable. A Paredes free kick from 25 yards out was almost the breakthrough for the reigning champions, but Gallese managed to get a strong right hand on the powerful strike to touch it over the crossbar in the 25th minute.

Unsurprisingly, La Albiceleste maintained possession for virtually the rest of the half, probing Peru's defense as they looked for the perfect ball in the final third. Just before the halftime whistle, a clever pass by Paredes unleashed Di Maria into open space, who then laid the ball off to an overlapping Montiel. The right-back played a low cross to a wide open Lo Celso in the box, but the midfielder's shot was saved.

Peru's valiant defense only lasted three minutes into the second half. Di Maria shook off his defender, quickly turning and playing a ball through to Martinez who was in on goal and able to chip a shot over the falling keeper to go up 1-0. Argentina would momentarily double their lead less than ten minutes later off a Tagliafico goal from a corner, but the referee waived off the score for Lo Celso obstructing Gallese.

The 2022 World Cup winners had another chance to seal the game after being awarded a penalty in the 72nd minute off a blatant handball by Castillo. Paredes stepped up to take the shot, but he missed the target and hit the post, keeping the score just 1-0. It was none other than Martinez who finally gave Argentina their second goal in the 86th minute, but not without controversary; the striker pushed Corzo in the back before beating Gallese, but the goal stood, securing Argentina's 2-0 victory.

Argentina player ratings vs Peru (4-3-3)

GK: Emiliano Martínez - 6/10 - Martinez had little to do tonight, facing just one shot on target.

RB: Gonzalo Montiel - 7/10 - Montiel had a few bad touches at the start of the match, but the right-back quickly grew into the game and linked up well with Di Maria, showcasing his attacking prowess and winning Argentina's penalty. He also was forced to cover for Pezzella at times when the center-back was caught out.

CB: German Pezzella - 5/10 - Pezzella admittedly had little to do on defense tonight, but he was noticeably beat one on one for one of Peru's only chances of the game.

CB: Nicolas Otamendi - 6/10 - Otamendi might have lost his starting job to Lisandro Martinez, but the center-back helped keep Argentina's third clean sheet of the tournament.

LB: Nicolas Tagliafico - 6/10 - Most of Argentina's attack unfolded on the right side of the pitch tonight, but Tagliafico still managed to make his presence felt on defense and even scored a goal off a corner that was eventually waived off.

CM: Exequiel Palacios - 6/10 - Palacios was not as impactful as Paredes, but the Bayer Leverkusen man looked right at home in the midfield, working well with Paredes and Lo Celso to maintain possession while rarely misplaying a ball.

CM: Leandro Paredes - 7/10 - On his 30th birthday, Paredes was easily the best and most creative midfielder for La Albiceleste tonight. His dangerous free kick and his out ball to Di Maria created the two best chances for Argentina in the first half. He did miss the penalty that could have doubled his side's lead.

CM: Giovani Lo Celso - 5/10 - Montiel dropped a gift of a ball right to the feet of Lo Celso just 12 yards out, but the midfielder failed to score. He also got Argentina's second goal waived off for obstructing Gallese.

RW: Angel Di Maria - 8/10 - Almost all of Argentina's best scoring opportunities, including the opening goal, developed along the right side of the pitch thanks to Di Maria. The captain also had pinpoint set piece deliveries all night long.

ST: Lautaro Martinez - 8/10 - Martinez had a quiet first half, but he netted a brace in the second half. Martinez now has four goals in three games at Copa America 2024.

LW: Alejandro Garnacho - 6/10 - Garnacho had a few positive flashes on the attack, including a curling shot that went just wide in the first half, but he failed to leave his mark on the game and was the first player subbed off in the 66th minute.

Substitutes

Enzo Fernandez - 6/10 - Enzo Fernandez slotted into the midfield nicely, controlling possession and the game's tempo in just his second appearance this tournament as he continues to build his match fitness.

Nicolas Gonzalez - 5/10 - After an impressive performance against Chile, Gonzalez did not get the opportunity to show what he can do on the left wing for Argentina.

Valentin Carboni - 5/10 - Carboni made his first appearance for La Albiceleste this tournament at just 19 years old.

Guido Rodriguez - 5/10 - There were some shouts for Rodriguez to start tonight, but the Real Betis man only got to play 13 minutes plus stoppage time.

Lucas Martinez Quarta - 5/10 - The Fiorentina man earns a standard five after coming on in the 83rd minute.

Manager

Lionel Scaloni - 7/10 - Even though he was not coaching his team from the sideline, Lionel Scaloni still delivered a strong starting XI that took all three points from Peru. Not only was he able to give several players, including Garnacho and Palacios, their tournament debuts, but he also rested his most important players ahead of the quarter-finals.

Scaloni will have an interesting decision to make come the Knockout Stage, though, between Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez. Alvarez got the start in the first two Copa America matches, but Martinez has scored in all three, and has arguably been Argentina's most impactful player so far.