Lautaro Martinez’s brace earned Argentina a 2-0 win over Peru that ensured they qualified for the Copa America quarter-finals as group winners. The Inter striker, who is in great form for the ‘Albiceleste’, spoke of the difference between how he played in the World Cup and how he is doing in recent matches.
Lautaro Martinez, scorer of the two goals with which Argentina defeated Peru, said he was happy because he worked “hard” to arrive in good condition for the Copa America to get “revenge for the World Cup”.
“In the World Cup I enjoyed it because it was my first World Cup, but I had moments of sadness, I needed my family and I was in a lot of pain because I had to have an ankle operation. Now, I’m happy because I worked hard to get to this Copa America and take revenge for what was the World Cup,” he said in the mixed zone of the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where the match of the third day of Group A of the Copa America was played.
The Copa America top scorer, who responded to criticism from Peru coach Jorge Fossati that his second goal was illegal because, in his opinion, he fouled Aldo Corzo. “Obviously, there is contact, but if we start awarding these kinds of fouls then the striker can’t touch the opponent. If it’s the defender, they don’t call a penalty”.
The striker, who has been a substitute in the first two games against Canada and Chile, replacing Julian Alvarez, vindicated his work. “I work every day for that. I feel good, as I said in the first game and against Chile. I had a very good season and I continue to prove it,” he added.