Logan O'Hoppe's 3-run Homer Propels Angels Past Tigers 5-2 For 5th Straight Win
June 28 (Reuters) - Argentina will be without talisman Lionel Messi as they head into the final match of Group A against Peru in the Copa America on Saturday.
The eight-times Ballon d'Or winner sustained a thigh injury in Argentina's 1-0 win over Chile.
While he did not participate in Thursday's training, reports suggest he could be fit for Argentina's quarter-final fixture on July 4.
"We will go day-to-day awaiting his evaluation. We also had a matter of overload so in order to avoid questions on that topic, we won't have him for the next match," assistant coach Walter Samuel told reporters on Friday through a translator.
Samuel stood in for head coach Lionel Scaloni at Friday's press conference, as Scaloni is suspended for the Peru match due to Argentina's tardiness after halftime in their two previous matches.
Messi's absence may disappoint fans in Miami, as another sellout was expected.
However, with Argentina already securing a spot in the quarter-finals and looking likely to top the group, precautions are being taken for the Inter Miami star.
Argentina could only lose the top spot to Canada if they suffer a defeat against Peru and Canada clinch a significant victory over Chile.
Argentina are expected to rest several other key players for the Peru match, possibly introducing 19-year-old talents Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) and Valentin Carboni (Inter Milan) to the field.
"We are not underestimating our opponent," Samuel said. "We are always playing to win."
Peru, on the other hand, need to secure a win against Argentina and hope for Canada to lose to Chile to keep their chances of qualification alive.
Peru's campaign so far has seen them draw 0-0 against Chile and lose 1-0 to Canada, the latter after Miguel Araujo received a red card.
Despite the results, Peru coach Jorge Fossati remains upbeat.
"In the first half, we challenged Canada more than Argentina challenged them and I am talking about Argentina, the current world champions," he said. (Reporting by Field Level Media; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
YTHPAH7UMFCEZHETV3FJX5NZSA JTGUM AIPM 10229 Pincher Bug Earwig On White Background Bugs With Pincers In The Front Large Large Long Black Bugs Large Earwigs In Colorado Springs Periodical Cicadas Brown Bug Identification What Are These Bugs With Pincers Johnson Pest Control 1024x503 360632 Medium I5X3PQrnpcbXq6NTtBcyJ5IXncu5sZ2QIJDtkOEqCEQ ?auto=webp&s=c8a0e224fd9a4b6df70531fbcf5c313fa1bfcfaf24064241 Standard IMG 6778 Fly Identifying A Small Brown Bug Tx4 Bccd6a35 5fb0 4869 9139 8a1789b0460e 750x422 Western Conifer Seed Bug JHahn.JPGIdentifying A Small Brown Bug M4 81EbT Earwig No Text Pseudoscorpion 300x225 5 Lucanus Capreolus, Franklin Co., OH July 21, 2013 (48).JPGWaterbugs Vs Cockroaches Little Brown Flying Bug 6 X3 Pseudoscorpion Dime