Defending Copa America champions Argentina are already assured of their spot in the quarterfinals ahead of their last Group A match against Peru.
That’s just as well with Lionel Messi ruled out through injury and head coach Lionel Scaloni suspended.
Scaloni will be absent for this one match after CONMEBOL’s disciplinary commission took action following Argentina’s late returning for the second half in its two Copa America matches so far.
Peru sit bottom of the group and need a shock result against Argentina to stand any chance of progressing and beating Chile or Canada to the runners-up spot in the group.
The Sporting News is following Argentina vs. Peru live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
MORE: Copa America 2024 bracket and results, updated LIVE | How to watch all the Copa America action
Argentina vs. Peru live score
| Score (1H) | Goal scorers | |
| Argentina | 0 | |
| Peru | 0 |
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL.
Referee: Cesar Ramos (MEX)
Starting lineups:
Argentina lineup: (4-3-3): Armani (GK) — Montiel, Pezzella, Otamendi, Tagliafico — Lo Celso, Paredes, Palacios — Di Maria, La. Martinez, Garnacho.
Peru lineup (3-5-2): Gallese (GK) —Corzo, Zambrano, Callens — Polo, Pena, Cartagena, Reyna, Lopez — Guerrero, Flores.
MORE: Latest on Lionel Messi’s injury
Argentina vs Peru live updates, highlights from Copa America 2024
Argentina vs Peru: First Half
GROUP A WATCH: Canada 0-0 Chile
There’s no score in the other game, which will please Peru, as a Canada win or draw eliminates them regardless of the result in this game.
Still, Peru will be dismayed to hear that Chile are down to 10 men after Gabriel Suazo was sent off for picking up two yellow cards inside the opening 30 minutes. Canada needed 88 minutes to score on 10-man Peru in their matchup last time out, so there’s no guarantee Jesse Marsch’s side finds the necessary breakthrough, but if they do, Peru are out regardless.
Then it’ll be on Argentina to secure their necessary point and hold off Canada who would be shock group winners if they win and Argentina lose.
HALFTIME: Argentina 0-0 Peru
A somewhat cagey first half comes to an end as neither side has found a breakthrough. Peru came into the game with a clear plan to cut down the flow of the game, and they’ve executed it, much to Argentina’s dismay. They picked up two yellow cards in the process, but kept a lid on Argentina’s pressure forward.
Lionel Messi remains on the bench for Argentina, but it’s hard to imagine they’ll turn to him carrying an injury in a largely meaningless game. Two things remain true — first, Argentina top the group with just a point, so there’s no real need for them to open it up and go for the win. The same cannot be said for Peru, who must win this match to have a chance at advancing, so they’ll have to find ways to pressure Argentina at some point, with virtually no attacking pressure to this point.
44th min: Chance, Argentina! WHAT A SAVE BY PEDRO GALLESE! Gonzalo Montiel’s smart cutback from out wide right falls to a charging Giovanni Lo Celso right on the penalty spot, but the Peruvian goalkeeper makes a stunning kick save to keep it out! Alejandro Garnacho’s follow-up is then skies over the crossbar!
Just one minute of first-half stoppage time is shown.
41st min: Angel Di Maria has been the brightest Argentine attacker, and he forces another save from Pedro Gallese with a shot from outside the top-right corner of the penalty area. The effort is poor and bounces straight into the arms of the Peruvian goalkeeper.
36th min: Now Peru midfielder Wilder Cartagena is booked after being skinned by a silky move from Angel Di Maria.
28th min: The game’s first yellow card is shown to Paulo Guerrero for an extremely late and unnecessary challenge from behind on Leandro Paredes. If this kind of play continues for Peru, they’ll see a lot more of those across the final 60 minutes.
26th min: Chance, Argentina! The first real goal chance for Argentina as Leandro Paredes fires a deep free-kick on net, seeking the top-left corner, but Pedro Gallese makes a spectacular athletic save with one hand! What a stellar stop!
Watch in USA:
WOW. What a chance for Leandro Paredes!!
Argentina nearly takes the lead off the free kick 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/qao45ZXQ5S
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2024
22nd min: Lautaro Martinez gets clean through on goal, but his one-on-one shot from a tight angle is saved exceptionally well by Pedro Gallese. It doesn’t matter, though, as Lautaro was miles offside on the feed from Angel Di Maria.
19th min: Finally, after the stop-start opening to this match, we’re treated to an extended spell of play as both sides get forward in moments. No real goal-mouth action on either end so far.
13th min: The referee is unimpressed after Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese goes down after a corner where Nicolas Otamendi rises to challenge for the ball. There’s very little contact, and while Gallese stays down for some time, the referee doesn’t even allow the training staff to come onto the pitch, and he’s allowed to continue after getting up slowly.
Moments later, Brian Reyna goes to the ground after being bear-hugged by Gonzalo Montiel. Peru are very clearly using these stoppages in play to waste as much time as possible.
10th min: We’re only 10 minutes in and the temperature of this match is already rising significantly. Alejandro Garnacho is hacked on the left touchline by Aldo Corzo, and Argentina are furious with how Peru are approaching this match. Still, Cesar Ramos keeps his cards in his pocket, which is becoming a theme at this Copa America.
It’s funny for a while, but #CopaAmerica referees HAVE to get a better handle on matches early.
AGAIN we’re seeing tonight where a referee (Cesar Ramos of MEX) lets a lot of early aggression go, and it increases the temperature of the match.
Players get angry or hurt this way.
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) June 30, 2024
6th min: There’s an early flashpoint as Lautaro Martinez draws a foul by Peruvian defender Carlos Zambrano who puts a throat in the Argentine forward. Peru players are incensed at the call for some reason, and surround the Mexican official with aggression.
Eventually, Angel Di Maria delivers the free-kick to the far post, and Pedro Gallese awkwardly puts it out for a corner. The delivery is taken short and recycled around to the far side before being sent in, but Di Maria puts his header over the crossbar.
2nd min: Argentina already have a corner as some miscommunication at the back results in an early set-piece. Angel Di Maria’s delivery is headed clear, but Peru will likely be under fire for much of this game.
Kickoff: The ball is rolling in Miami! Argentina have already qualified for the knockout stage, and need just a point to confirm their place atop Group A. Peru, meanwhile, must win and have outside help if they are to advance to the quarterfinals.
Argentina vs Peru: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more
15 mins to kickoff: Which player would Argentina fans want to be stuck on a deserted island with? Not a question we have thought of until now, but Bleacher Report has decided to ask fans this question, and their logic is all over the place.
Argentina fans pick which player would help them survive a deserted island 🌴 pic.twitter.com/MAXHxkaaW2
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 29, 2024
30 mins to kickoff: Lionel Messi was thought to be out of the match after comments made by Argentina assistant coach Walter Samuel who is filling in for Scaloni tonight, but he has actually been included on the bench for the match.
It’s highly unlikely he would be risked in a meaningless game after suffering a muscle injury days before, but he could theoretically enter the game if needed.
🏆 #CopaAmérica
📋 ¡Once inicial confirmado! ⚽
Así formará @Argentina 🇦🇷 para el encuentro ante #Perú 🇵🇪 pic.twitter.com/7AQNnINzfX
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) June 29, 2024
45 mins to kickoff: Argentina are always the ones who garner the headlines, but this is a huge game for Peru. They need to win to remain alive in the Copa America. It’s not all they require, as they also need Canada to suffer defeat to Chile, but for now, they can only control what they can control.
Anything less than a shock upset win and Peru are out.
1 hour to kickoff: Lineups have now been officially submitted. We knew what Argentina would look like well in advance thanks to the reports, but Peru have now seen their XI confirmed as well.
Legendary striker Paulo Guerrero has been given a chance by head coach Jorge Fossati who has decided to replace struggling forward Gianluca Lapadula with the 40-year-old. It’s a big call as Peru have yet to score a single goal through two Copa America games.
1 hour 15 mins to kick: Argentina fans will get a look tonight at what life could look like after both Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria hve finally hung up his boots. With Messi out injured, Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho starts on the left opposite Di Maria, and the 19-year-old will play a significant role in the national team’s future once Messi has departed for good.
He has yet to score a goal for Argentina in five international caps, playing just five total minutes in competitive fixtures to this point. Tonight could be a coming-out party for the youngster, but United fans are already well aware of what he can do.
Alejandro Garnacho’s bicycle kick against Everton has been named 2023-24 Premier League Goal of the Season 🚲⚽️
What else was going to win? 😅 pic.twitter.com/pJD1gdgU64
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 26, 2024
1 hour 30 mins to kick: Lionel Messi isn’t the only Lionel who will be missing for Argentina tonight. Head coach Lionel Scaloni is also absent, suspended due to his team’s repeated violation of the tournament’s timing rules. Argentina have repeatedly been criticized by opposing coaches for returning to the pitch after halftime significantly late, and Scaloni as well as Chile coach Ricardo Gareca were punished for it.
Lionel Scaloni (Argentina) and Ricardo Gareca (Chile) have been suspended and will not be able to be on the sideline for their respective matches because of late arrival!!
— Diego Montalvan (@DMontalvan) June 28, 2024
1 hour 45 mins to kick: Argentina insider Gaston Edul has already confirmed what Argentina’s starting lineup will look like, and as expected, there will be major squad rotation with Argentina already confirmed to be qualified for the knockout stage.
Alejandro Garnacho will start on the wing, while Giovanni Lo Celso and Exequiel Palacios will get to play in midfield.
2 hours before kickoff: Hello, and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of Argentina’s final group match against Peru. No Lionel, no party? We’ll soon find out if Messi and Scaloni’s absence has an impact on this talented side.
Argentina vs. Peru kickoff time
This Copa America 2024 match kicks off from Hard Rock Stadium on June 29 at 8:00 p.m. local time in Florida.
Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Sat, June. 29 | 8 p.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Sat, June. 29 | 5 p.m. PT |
| UK | Sun, June. 30 | 1 a.m. BST |
| Australia | Sun, June. 30 | 10 a.m. AEST |
| India | Sun, June. 30 | 5:30 a.m. IST |
Argentina vs. Peru lineups, starting 11, team news
Lionel Scaloni is set to shuffle his pack with qualification already assured, and as well as Messi, there could be other notable changes.
Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive goal in the win over Chile and was also on target from the bench against Canada. The Inter Milan striker could be set to start this one, while Scaloni has pledged to give minutes to players who are yet to feature in the campaign, meaning potential opportunities for the likes of Gio Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, and Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho.
Argentina starting lineup: (4-3-3): Armani (GK) — Montiel, Pezzella, Otamendi, Tagliafico — Lo Celso, Paredes, Palacios — Di Maria, La. Martinez, Garnacho.
Argentina subs (15): Armani (GK), Rulli (GK), Quarta, Li. Martinez, Acuna, Romero, Molina, Carboni, De Paul, G. Rodriguez, Mac Allister, E. Fernandez, N. Gonzalez, Messi, Alvarez.
For Peru, defender Miguel Araujo is suspended after his red card against Canada, with Anderson Santamaria set to come into the backline.
Injured Luis Advincula only makes the bench thanks to the Achilles issue suffered in the opener, meaning Marcos Lopez is likely to continue at full-back. Veteran 40-year-old striker Paolo Guerrero has been called upon to remedy the team’s woes up front from the bench, replacing Gianluca Lapadula up front.
There are two other changes as Bryan Reyna enters in midfield and 35-year-old defender Aldo Corzo is turned to at the back.
Peru starting lineup (3-5-2): Gallese (GK) —Corzo, Zambrano, Callens — Polo, Pena, Cartagena, Reyna, Lopez — Guerrero, Flores.
Peru subs (14): Caceda (GK), D. Romero (GK), Santamaria, Abram, Advincula, Sonne, Carrillo, Cueva, Zanelatto, J. Castillo, Quispe, Lapadula, Grimaldo, J. Rivera.
Argentina vs. Peru live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Copa America 2024 match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | FS1, TUDN USA, Univision | Fubo, Fox Sports app/website, TUDN app/website, Univision Now, ViX |
| Canada | — | TSN+, RDS app |
| UK | Premier Sports 1 | Premier Sports Player |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
USA: Argentina vs.Peru from Hard Rock Stadium will be televised in the United States on FS1, with a Spanish-language broadcast via TUDN USA and Univision. Those channels are available to stream on Fubo, who are offering a FREE seven-day trial. ViX is also providing a Spanish-language stream.
UK: Sunday morning’s match will be shown in the UK on Premier Sports platforms.
Canada: This match will be shown on TSN, while RDS provide French-language coverage.
Australia: Australia’s sole broadcaster for the Copa America is Optus Sport.
