Lionel Messi was not included in the starting lineup for Argentina's final Copa America Group A match after suffering an injury issue in the 1-0 victory over Chile last time out.
The Inter Miami man was seen to be in some discomfort with his thigh after taking a heavy challenge in the second group clash, which required him to have lengthy treatment on the sidelines.
He managed to go on and complete the full 90 minutes, as a goal from Lautaro Martinez booked Argentina a spot in the quarterfinals with a game to spare, but he will now not take part in the Peru match.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Peru match, Argentina assistant coach Walter Samuel seemed to confirm that Messi would be absent.
"Leo had a problem in the last game [against Chile] and he won't be in this one. We are going to see how it is day-by-day"
Although any time missing by their talisman is a concern for Argentina, the news is not totally unexpected. It was widely anticipated that coach Lionel Scaloni would make changes anyway, and Messi was always likely to be in line for a rest with qualification already locked down.
Indeed Messi did not start the match, but surprisingly, he was included amongst the substitutes when lineups were announced.
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For Peru, though, any such news will be more than welcomed. They must put their poor Copa America form and more than a quarter of a century of history behind them if they are to salvage their 2024 campaign against the holders.
La Blanquirroja have not beaten La Albiceleste since the 1997 tournament but must do so here to have any chance of progressing. Jorge Fossati's side lost to Canada in their previous match and have one point and zero goals to their name in the 2024 Copa so far.
By contrast, Argentina have booked their quarterfinal spot with a game to spare and are yet to concede. Can Peru take advantage of Messi's absence, and what is likely to be a rotated opposition lineup, or will the champions' superior quality from a bridge too far once again?
Argentina vs. Peru lineups, starting 11, team news
Scaloni has shuffled the deck with qualification already assured, but Lionel Messi has surprisingly been included on the Argentina bench after assistant coach Walter Samuel indicated he will not take part. It's still thought unlikely that Messi will play, but he could theoretically come on at some point.
Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive goal in that game and was also on target from the bench against Canada. The Inter Milan striker could be set to start this one, while Scaloni has pledged to give minutes to players who are yet to feature in the campaign, meaning potential opportunities for the likes of Gio Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, and Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho.
Argentina starting XI (4-3-3): Armani (GK) — Montiel, Pezzella, Otamendi, Tagliafico — Lo Celso, Paredes, Palacios — Di Maria, La. Martinez, Garnacho.
Injured: Lionel Messi (thigh).
Suspended: Lionel Scaloni (coach).
For Peru, defender Miguel Araujo is suspended after his red card against Canada, with Anderson Santamaria set to come into the back line.
Injured Luis Advincula remains a doubt with his Achilles issue suffered in the opener, meaning Marcos Lopez is likely to continue at full-back. Veteran 40-year-old striker Paolo Guerrero has been called upon to remedy the team's woes up front from the bench, replacing Gianluca Lapadula up front.
There are two other changes as Bryan Reyna enters in midfield and 35-year-old defender Aldo Corzo is turned to at the back.
Peru predicted XI (3-5-2): Gallese (GK) —Corzo, Zambrano, Callens — Polo, Pena, Cartagena, Reyna, Lopez — Guerrero, Flores.
Injured: Luis Advincula (Achilles, out)
Suspended: Miguel Araujo (yellow accumulation)
Argentina vs. Peru live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Copa America 2024 match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | FS1, TUDN USA, Univision | Fubo, Fox Sports app/website, TUDN app/website, Univision Now, ViX |
| Canada | — | TSN+, RDS app |
| UK | Premier Sports 1 | Premier Sports Player |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
USA: Argentina vs.Peru from Hard Rock Stadium will be televised in the United States on FS1, with a Spanish-language broadcast via TUDN USA and Univision. Those channels are available to stream on Fubo, who are offering a FREE seven-day trial. ViX is also providing a Spanish-language stream.
UK: Sunday morning's match will be shown in the UK on Premier Sports platforms.
Canada: This match will be shown on TSN, while RDS provide French-language coverage.
Australia: Australia's sole broadcaster for the Copa America is Optus Sport.
If this match is not available to watch live in your location, or if you’re traveling abroad, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs offer a secure and private online connection, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions to access your favorite streaming services from any device anywhere in the world.
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