An early goal by Lautaro Martinez and Sergio Aguero’s late second gave Argentina a 2-0 win over Qatar on Sunday that qualified them for the Copa America quarter-finals.
Already-qualified Colombia beat Paraguay 1-0 in the otherGroup B match to secure a place in the last eight for both Peru, who finishedthird in Group A, and Uruguay, currently second in Group C.
Argentina, who finish second in Group B behind Colombia,will play Venezuela at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana stadium in thequarter-finals, while tournament debutants and guests Qatar are out.
Paraguay, on two points, must wait and see what happens inMonday’s Group C clash between Japan and Ecuador before finding out if theyqualify as one of the two best third-place finishers.
Peru, with four points, are sure of that while only a drawbetween Japan and Ecuador would see Paraguay progress.
Asian champions Qatar made a calamitous start when a weakheaded clearance from Tarek Salman fell to Martinez 12 yards out, but the InterMilan forward sent his volley over the top.Qatar were sporadically dangerous on the breakand Portuguese-born Ro-Ro stole in at the back post to meet a Karim Boudiafcross but couldn’t direct his volley on target.