KC Current Sets NWSL Record, 17 Games Unbeaten
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)
0087863 6392cea849f5b57ebf4fdd7b0b7ee62d New Zealand SI Dunedin Imperial Buildings 975x1440 Stranges Building From Manchester St 1 Of 6 2000x2000 ?1432531438Ruataniwha Civic Raven Quay Shared Pedestrian Street Leading To Future River Walks 6 Of 6 2000x2000 ?14325317210aaa0278efafb5a441dd10924617c2de B63d298949fa3767f5e16f2a8740b515 Be4f8b1b46681f620035ee58c085de66 City Towers ?w=700&h= 1&s=1Bvb2xfd00x5azsxh ?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&w=1200116457 Photo 1516422641841 Cd9803ab02c6 Inter Left 696x390 WhatsApp Image 2023 12 15 At 8.08.17 PM 2023 New Zealand Property Report DSC07553.JPG91863e64c76c6de1ce6134cda0de693e Wellington New Zealand Buildings Historic Newer Buildings Near Harbor New Zealand S Capital Wellington 163767651 Gv9hwsv5gzajhltt ?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&w=1200Afd36b09d52875f2a38d70fde6dfe8d3 Giant EyJidWNrZXQiOiJyY3Atd2Vic2l0ZS1hc3NldHMiLCJrZXkiOiJpbWFnZXNcL2luc2lnaHRzXC9hYjA4NDBkLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6MTI4MCwiZml0IjoiY29udGFpbiJ9fQ==Stud03 Cablestreet Bronze 4096x2474 2023 Insights From New Zealands Building Industry 768x480 From Above ?w=500&h=400&s=1Dunedin Law Courts ?w=500&h=400&s=1979900e631a62062b235323db3cfb045 1686133981382?e=1692835200&v=beta&t=CsqVprTgvrLqZYxBI D8R8JSRtQmaPNifTOFT8MM3UFerry Building Auckland New Zealand Cityscape View Panorama 2022 Free Photo.JPG7d2076147c50fd6a8676baec41ac884d 1x 1 New Zealand 4838952 1280 .webpAuckland B12719cfe2f608464d7ffcea3162cb89 55bc038509545d115f54e980f42e8b512b3abf2e 1920x1280 ?auto=format&fit=max&q=75&w=12009d8bc6c6 95ed 4f86 853d Fcd73faaebdf