Argentina vs. Chile final score: Copa America 2024 result as Lautaro Martinez finds late breakthrough goal

Kyle Bonn

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Argentina vs. Chile final score: Copa America 2024 result as Lautaro Martinez finds late breakthrough goal image

If at first you don't succeed, try try again. That was the mantra for Argentina as they met nemesis Chile at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday evening for their second Copa America group-stage match.

After collecting a hard-fought three points against Canada in the tournament's opening match, Argentina continued to struggle finishing off chances, but Lautaro Martinez's 88th-minute goal did the business for a 1-0 win, as they finally found the breakthrough after pummeling Chile across the entirety of the game.

Argentina battered Chile throughout and out-shot their opponents 21-3, but were denied time and time again by veteran goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who had an outstanding game in goal.

Chile's small window of opportunity came around the 75th minute when they forced Emi Martinez to make a pair of big saves, but that was all they could create, as they spent most of the match breathlessly defending in long stretches.

Ultimately, it was Inter striker Lautaro who found the decisive moment off a corner, sending Argentina soaring to the top of Group A by a significant margin. They sit on six points through two games while holding a solid goal differential advantage, meaning just a point in the finale against Peru would see them finish first in the four-team standings.

The Sporting News followed the Argentina vs. Chile match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened.

Argentina vs. Chile final score, result

 ScoreGoal scorers
Argentina1La. Martinez (88')
Chile0–

Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Referee: Andres Matonte (URU)

Starting lineups:

Argentina (4-3-3, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. Molina (Acuna, 83'), 13. Romero, 25. Li. Martinez, 3. Tagliafico (Montiel, 83') — 7. De Paul, 24. E. Fernandez (Lo Celso, 64'), 20. Mac Allister — 10. Messi, 9. Alvarez (La. Martinez, 73'), 15. N. Gonzalez (Di Maria, 73').

Chile (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Bravo (GK) — 4. Isla, 16. Lichnovsky, 5. P. Diaz, 2. Suazo — 13. Pulgar (Nunez, 77'), 18. Echeverria — 9. Davila, 10. A. Sanchez (Bolados, 66'), 8. Osorio — 11. C. Vargas.

MORE: 2024 Copa America schedule and results, updated LIVE | Who will win 2024 Copa America? Latest odds and predictions | How to watch all the Copa America 2024 action

Argentina vs. Chile live updates, highlights from Copa America

ArgentinaStatChile
22Shots3
9Shots on target3
2.50Expected goals0.12
61%Possession39%
483Accurate passes275
11Corners0
9Fouls12
0Yellow cards2

FULLTIME: Argentina 1-0 Chile

It felt like it had been coming for nearly the entire match, but as the clock ticked down it seemed Argentina may run out of time. In the end, though, Lautaro Martinez snags the winning moment by thumping the ball home off a late corner.

Argentina were by far the better side, as Chile had absolutely nothing in the attacking third all game aside from the short spell around the 75th minute. Otherwise, it was one-way traffic throughout. Still, it's not possession or shots that win you games, but goals, and it almost finished without any of those before Lautaro arrived.

90+5 min: Chance, Argentina! Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez have a two-on-none break but Claudio Bravo makes an outlandish save!! That could have sealed it, but it may not matters, as five minutes of stoppage time are nearly up!

88th min: GOAL! ARGENTINA! LAUTARO MARTINEZ FINALLY HAS THE BREAKTHROUGH! After Messi's Olimpico attempt is put out by Claudio Bravo, they find the net on the subsequent effort! Messi's ball ping-pongs around in the penalty area and isn't cleared, and it's the Inter man to bury it.

There's a brutally long VAR check in the aftermath of the goal, and they could have been looking at any of a number of things, with the ball having hit a million different bodies en route to the back of the net. Eventually, though, the goal is confirmed and the MetLife Stadium crowd erupts!

87th min: Chance, Argentina! Chile break tradition by making a pair of substitutions as Argentina are about to take a corner. Ben Brereton Diaz and Nicolas Fernandez enter, while Mauricio Isla and Eduardo Vargas are replaced.

As play restarts, Lionel Messi tries for the Olimpico scoring direct from a corner, which he's gone for.

83rd min: Two more changes for Argentina, as Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel come in at both full-back positions, with Nicolas Tagliafico and Nahuel Molina brought off.

81st min: Argentina scream for a penalty after Angel Di Maria is brought down in the corner of the penalty area dribbling away from goal, but no penalty called. It was clearly a foul as the replay is shown, but it occurred outside the penalty area, so VAR can do nothing about it.

Lionel Scaloni is incensed, and even grabs the arms of the official in an attempt to recreate his version of the events, but the protests are waved away.

75th min: Chance, Chile! Another huge save by Emi Martinez to deny Rodrigo Echeverria again! The ball clunks off the chest of Lisandro Martinez and falls right into the path of Echeverria on the penalty spot, an even better chance than the last one, but he hits it too close to Dibu, who makes a wonderful low reflex save! That has to be in the net for Chile, you won't get a better chance against the defending world champions!

Could momentum be turning here? The Argentine substitutes have yet to make an impact...

72nd min: Chance, Chile! Emi Martinez is called into action for the first time all evening! It's given away very cheaply by Cristian Romero, which springs a Chile counter, and a deflected cross is crashed onto by Rodrigo Echeverria, but Dibu awkwardly gets down to make the save! It was a nervy one as he clearly couldn't see it well through the many defenders!

Now the Argentina subs can come on, with Julian Alvarez and Nico Gonzalez hauled off.

71st min: It's, quite simply, an absolute onslaught from Argentina, but they cannot seem to breach this Chile defense. Lionel Scaloni is about to bring on the cavalry, as Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria will enter the fray shortly looking to help Argentina break through.

64th min: Argentina will make the first change of the match by either team, as Giovanni Lo Celso enters in place of Enzo Fernandez in midfield.

Chile respond by hauling off Alexis Sanchez, while Marcos Bolados comes on in his place.

61st min: Chance, Argentina! NICO GONZALEZ SMACKS THE CROSSBAR! Argentina come oh so close again, but are denied by the woodwork as he ripped a left-footed blast! Looks like Claudio Bravo got a touch to push it off the crossbar. What a stop!

In the aftermath, Gonzalez comically ankle-tackles a defender with two hands and is whistled for a foul, lucky not to be booked.

57th min: Chance, Argentina! Lionel Messi lofts a gorgeous free-kick delivery over the top of the Chile defensive setup, perfectly on a platter for Alexis Mac Allister from point-blank range! He has the entire goal to pick out, but somehow whiffs completely and the ball falls right into the waiting arms of Claudio Bravo! How has the Liverpool man bungled that chance?? Argentina's finishing at this tournament has been extremely poor.

55th min: The game's first yellow card is shown to Gabriel Suazo for a thumping two-footed challenge on Rodrigo De Paul. Nothing more, as he pulls one foot out of the tackle as he goes in, but it still sends De Paul flying through the air.

53rd min: Chile have a free-kick after Nicolas Tagliafico puts in a pair of tackles, the second of which is clearly a foul. It concedes a set-piece from around 35 yards out, but the delivery is wasted by Alexis Sanchez, who floats it to the far post where Emi Martinez happily collects with ease.

50th min: Chance, Argentina! Claudio Bravo stands tall to a blasted effort from Nahuel Molina! It's given away by the Chile midfield, and Argentina counter at pace, with Molina fed through vertically. He goes to shoot from a tight angle, and after what seemed like winding up for ages, he rockets it straight at the goalkeeper, and Bravo makes no mistake.

On the ensuing corner, Enzo Fernandez rips a shot that clips off Mauricio Isla and goes out for another set-piece. The shot did hit the arm of the defender, but it was tight near his chest and therefore no penalty is given, which is the correct decision..

47th min: Ouch! Nico Gonzalez is clipped from behind as he marauded forward on the ball, and as he's falling to the ground Igor Lichnovsky blasts the ball clear...and straight into Gonzalez's face. That's a painful one, but he's OK. No booking to Lichnovsky, which is fair considering he has a right to try and clear the ball.

2nd half kickoff: The second half is finally under way as Argentina are a full three minutes late to come out of the locker room, something which angered Canada head coach Jesse Marsch in the first match last Thursday.

Lionel Messi is on the field and has not been substituted, so for now, fears of an injury are allayed.

HALFTIME: Argentina 0-0 Chile

The game began as ugly as you can imagine, with just one shot through the first 20 minutes, but Argentina began to gain firm control of the match as the first half wore on, and as it came to a close they were well and truly on top.

The biggest talking point of the opening 45 minutes is undoubtedly Lionel Messi's fitness. He received treatment on his right thigh that left his team down a man for a few minutes, and looked super stiff shortly after coming back on, but he seemed to shake it off as the minutes wore on.

All eyes will be on whether he comes back out for the second half or is protected for further evaluation by Lionel Scaloni.

45+3 min: With three minutes of stoppage time shown, Argentina are up to 13 shots now as Rodrigo De Paul rifles one over the crossbar from a central position about 25 yards out. It's an onslaught, but they haven't broken through.

41st min: It's all Argentina now, as Chile are under siege. Nicolas Tagliafico is fouled out on the left touchline, and it gives Argentina an attacking set piece which Lionel Messi stands over. His delivery is driven low and hardly beats the first man, turned away by Chile.

38th min: Chance, Argentina! The defending champions have suddenly turned on the jets, and nearly force an own-goal! A cross from Nahuel Molina across the face of goal is an awkward one for Erick Pulgar to deal with, and as the ball is fizzed just behind his momentum, his awkward spin nearly puts the ball in his own net, but it drags just wide!

36th min: Chance, Argentina! Well, maybe Lionel Messi is ok after all! He crops up with space on the ball, and takes a rip from about 28 yards out, but misses by just an inch or two wide right! That's the closest either side has come to scoring tonight!

34th min: This game has slowed to a crawl, and Lionel Messi doesn't look right. He's used to walking, but looks as if he can barely move.

28th min: There's an injury to Gabriel Suazo of Chile who gets cleated by Rodrigo De Paul on the follow-through of a shot. It's entirely Suazo's fault, as he arrived late with a two-footed challenge, and while he managed to block the effort, he paid for it by putting his leg right in the firing line.

He gets up to continue, but is clearly in some pain, grimacing as he returns to the pitch. This has been a match full of physicality but devoid of any goal-mouth action.

25th min: Well this will concern Argentina fans. Lionel Messi is fouled on the touchline and, as he gets up, he immediately heads to the touchline to receive treatment. He's off for an amount of time that's not insignificant, as a trainer uses a cream to aggressively rub down his right adductor.

Argentina play for a few minutes down to 10 men, but Messi is able to come back on the field and continue. He has had a history of muscle injuries...

22nd min: Chance, Argentina! The first opportunity in front of net falls to Julian Alvarez of Argentina, who looks to turn in a cutback by Nico Gonzalez from six yards out, but he gets no power on the effort and it's into the arms of Claudio Bravo.

Then a few moments later, Lionel Messi looks to feed vertically to Gonzalez at full speed and, as it goes out of play, the Argentine winger is furious that a corner is not given.

20th min: We're closing in on the first quarter of the match and the teams have combined for one shot. Chile have effectively mucked this game up. Neither side can get anything notable going. The ball has stayed in the middle third of the pitch for most of the opening stage, and when Argentina manage to get forward, there's simply no space.

13th min: Chile's approach to this match, other than their trademark overtly physical play, is to clog the middle of the pitch and force Argentina to go out wide. The thought is if Argentina want to force the ball to Lionel Messi, let him receive it on the touchline rather than through the middle.

It's having the desired effect, but they can't maintain possession. Argentina's counter-press is working to perfection, winning the ball back immediately every time they lose it.

8th min: Comically, it takes three tries to get play restarted via a drop ball following the Davila injury. Rodrigo De Paul is hounded by a Chilean player and the referee wants it redone. Technicalities!

5th min: Argentina have been a bit sloppy to begin this game, just like they were against Canada. Chile snatch the ball and begin a move forward and Mauricio Isla sends a ball into the penalty area that just barely evades a leaping Victor Davila.

Davila is down and requires treatment, clearly shaken up from the aerial duel. He is looked at for quite some time before getting up and walking off under his own power. It looks like he's being troubled by a blow to the left eye, whether from the challenge or the landing.

Kickoff: They're under way at MetLife Stadium! Lionel Messi not only looks to lead Argentina to confirmation of a knockout-stage spot, but he goes up against Chile striker Eduardo Vargas, who has one more career Copa America goal. Can Messi pull himself into the all-time top five?

Argentina vs. Chile: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more

15 mins to kickoff: It has been quite hot across the entire United States the last few days, even weeks, and it has had an effect on the Copa America directly. In today's earlier match between Canada and Peru, an assistant referee collapsed in the 92-degree heat in a scary scene as players rushed to his aid.

It is 85 degrees in East Rutherford right now, with kickoff set shortly. There will be a close attention on the fitness of the players and match staff.

30 mins to kickoff: There's been a lot of talk about Lionel Messi's retirement in 2016 following defeat at this very stadium against Chile in the Copa America final. Lionel Scaloni has attempted to put that in the rear view mirror, saying, "The important thing is that Messi is here. It doesn't matter what he said in 2016, we have to live in the present.

45 mins to kickoff: The other Group A match has finished, with Canada winning 1-0 on a late goal by Jonathan David. It was a poor performance from both teams, in truth, as Canada were extremely sloppy while Peru's discipline got the better of them with a red card early in the second half. Les Rouges were saved by goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau on numerous occasions, which isn't a great look playing with an extra man.

If Argentina get by with even a point here today, they are very likely to top the group against a Peru side that seems out of sorts and hasn't scored a competitive goal in ages. They have such a soft draw in this tournament.

1 hour to kickoff: Lineups have been released, and the reported changes for Argentina have come to pass as Lionel Scaloni indeed makes three alterations to his side. You have to wonder if this is more like his "first-choice" starting XI after giving an aging Angel Di Maria and rotation midfielder Leandro Paredes a chance to play against a Canada side that could be argued are the weakest in the group.

For Chile, there's just one change as head coach Ricardo Gareca drops Villarreal forward Ben Brereton Diaz in favor of 20-year-old Dario Osorio, who plays for Norwegian side FC Midtjylland.

1 hour 15 mins to kick: This very venue in the shadow of New York City was the site of Chile's 2016 Copa America Centenario title win, where they topped Argentina in that match. These two teams have gone in complete opposite directions since then, and surely Argentina will wish to exact revenge in this competition for that game, even if it was some time ago.

1 hour 30 mins to kick: If Chile are to have any success in this tournament, they will need Alexis Sanchez to rediscover his form. Unfortunately, the 35-year-old has shown no signs of such transformation, having failed to score or assist a goal in any of his last seven international appearances, and he's coming off a forgettable season with Inter where he scored two and assisted five in 23 games, logging just 750 minutes in a bit-part role.

With no young players coming through behind him, Sanchez is still relied upon, but they need him to find his old magic in his twilight years. Somehow, he won Man of the Match in the scoreless draw between Chile and Peru, so maybe there's something left in the tank.

1 hour 45 mins to kick: If reports are to be believed, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni is set to make a number of changes from the opening XI against Canada.

According to Gaston Edul, he will bring Nico Gonzalez, Enzo Fernandez, and Nicolas Tagliafico into the starting lineup. It seems as if Angel Di Maria, Leandro Paredes, and Marcos Acuna will be the ones to drop out.

2 hours to kickoff: Chile are in desperate need of young talent in the attack, as the lack of a capable next generation has left 35-year-old Alexis Sanchez and 34-year-old Eduardo Vargas in their positions up front for much longer than anticipated.

Their drop-off, combined with the lack of replacements, has seen a stark decline in Chile's goal scoring capabilities in recent years. Sanchez is without a goal contribution in his last 11 international appearances, dating back to March of 2023 when he scored against Paraguay in a friendly. He hasn't scored in a competitive match for over two years, going back to his brace against Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier in February of 2022. He blamed another goose egg against Peru in the opener on the referees.

Vargas hasn't fallen off quite as sharply, continuing to fire up front for Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro, but he has just two international goals since the 2021 Copa America, having been phased out of the side before being brought back into the fold this year out of desperation.

Copa America 2024 Group A standings

Pos.TeamGPPointsW-D-LGoals ForGoals Against
1.Argentina262-0-030
2.Canada231-0-112
3.Chile210-1-101
4.Peru210-1-101

Argentina vs. Chile lineups, team news, starting 11

Argentina escaped the opening match on a dodgy Atlanta pitch with no injury issues. Therefore, the only questions for head coach Lionel Scaloni heading into this match are tactical, and has made a trio of changes.

He has has gone back to Nico Gonzalez on the wing, with Angel Di Maria dropping out. Meanwhile, Enzo Fernandez comes into midfield for Leandro Paredes, and Nicolas Tagliafico will play left-back in place of Marcos Acuna.

Gio Lo Celso and Rodrigo de Paul were the Argentina players booked in the opener and therefore at risk of a yellow-card suspension if they pick up a second.

Argentina starting lineup (4-3-3): E. Martinez (GK) — Molina, Romero, L. Martinez, Tagliafico — De Paul, E. Fernandez, Mac Allister — Messi, Alvarez, N. Gonzalez.

Argentina subs (15): Armani (GK), Rulli (GK), Pezzella, Quarta, Otamendi, Montiel, Acuna, Palacios, G. Rodriguez, Paredes, Lo Celso, Di Maria, Carboni, Garnacho, La. Martinez.

There are two injuries for Chile head coach Ricardo Gareca to work around. Winger Diego Valdes was withdrawn at halftime of the opener with a muscle injury will miss this match, but could potentially return for upcoming matches. Additionally, defender Igor Lichnovsky trained separately from the rest of the squad, but he passes fit to start.

Alexis Sanchez, 35, remains a starter for Chile, but largely only because they have nobody else to take his place at the No. 10. With talisman striker Eduardo Vargas at 34 years old, young talent is desperately needed in the attack to usher in the next generation of Chilean football. There's one change from the previous match, as Ben Brereton Diaz of Villarreal is dropped for Dario Osorio.

Opening match yellow cards for Sanchez, Victor Davila, and Erick Pulgar leave all three at risk of a suspension should they pick up another booking.

Chile starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Bravo (GK) — Isla, Lichnovsky, P. Diaz, Suazo — Pulgar, Echeverria — Davila, A. Sanchez, Osorio — C. Vargas.

Chile subs (15): Cortes (GK), Arias (GK), Kuscevic, N. Fernandez, Maripan, Catalan, Galdames, M. Nunez, C. Perez, Pavez, Bolados, Zavala, M. Guerrero, B. Diaz.

Argentina vs. Chile live stream, TV channel

 TV channelStreaming
USAFS1, TUDN, UnivisionFubo USA, Fox Sports GO, TUDN app/website, Univision NOW, ViX
CanadaRDSTSN+, RDS app
UKPremier Sports 1Premier Sports Player
Australia —Optus Sport
India — —

USA: Argentina's second match at the 2024 Copa America will be televised in the United States on FS1. There is also a Spanish-language broadcast on both TUDN and Univision. All three channels will be available to stream on Fubo, who are offering a FREE trial for new users.

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Canada: The match will be streamed by English-language rights holder TSN on their dedicated platform, TSN+. It will also be televised in French on RDS as well as streamed on RDS+.

United Kingdom: The entire 2024 Copa America will be televised in the UK on Premier Sports 1, with streaming on their platform, Premier Sports Player.

Australia: All 2024 Copa America games are streamed in Australia by exclusive rights-holder Optus Sport.

India: The Copa America is not currently available to watch in India. But if the action is not available viewers may be able to access via a VPN service.

WATCH FROM ANYWHERE: Sign up for NordVPN (30-day moneyback guarantee)

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Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.