Athletics Rally Late, Snap 11-game Road Losing Streak By Beating Diamondbacks 9-4
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)
1200x0 1427931592 IMG 4021.JPG34cda8f0327cdd82cb5df469ce50a7c8 B49881766607ae8b5dd03ef08f457857 FvYvAoLWAAEq3Vw?format=jpg&name=4096x409648552950 DATEBOOK MER2017083120534402lane0716 PH 1024x721 FvTds5 X0AQTcv6?format=jpg&name=4096x409618448ac52a34da512ba85411108f06c4 FvystTnXoAY Vwk?format=jpg&name=4096x4096FRl UMlWUAY9BA7?format=jpg&name=largeFlfJDZTXwAA9s 2?format=jpg&name=4096x4096FvkLbCGWIAEwgMQ?format=jpg&name=4096x4096FvODhavaIAAo7iM?format=jpg&name=4096x4096Greenapplebooks 1 FRm5hTpVgAEFg4p?format=jpg&name=largeFl0IvtZWIAk Ybs?format=jpg&name=4096x40961500x500011.JPGFRoMV2gUcAAOCVu?format=jpg&name=large8105611017 Bf88bc6fc9 Z FvpboVLaEAAAM9r?format=jpg&name=mediumFlBe2MAXgAMhXQT?format=jpg&name=4096x4096FRC4CbwVUAANU65?format=jpg&name=mediumFRmOKcTX0AYnYYY?format=jpg&name=4096x40969780811227865 FRmgiebVsAAjN50?format=jpg&name=largeJaoqxvIk 400x400 FQ9iGmhUYAEU2zb?format=jpg&name=largeFvpboU8aQAAPpxW?format=jpg&name=mediumGreen Apple 504 ?width=445&dpr=1&s=none