|
BUENOS AIRES, June 15 (Xinhua) -- The Argentinean team has qualified from the group stage of the Copa America Centenario with full points, leading a nation to hope a title may be near after 23 years.
Argentina defeated Bolivia 3-0 in Seattle on Tuesday, meaning it finished with nine points from three games, having previously beaten reigning champions Chile, 2-1, and Panama by 5-0.
On Saturday, Argentina will face Venezuela in the quarter-finals, with talisman Lionel Messi ready to cement his legacy by leading his team to the title.
Against Bolivia, with qualification already secured, Argentina rested some of its first 11, such as Gabriel Mercado, Javier Mascherano, Marcos Rojo, Augusto Fernandez and Nicolas Gaitan.
One of the substitutes, Ezequiel Lavezzi, who plays for Hebei Fortune in China, scored, alongside Erik Lamela and Victor Cuesta. With all three goalscorers normally seen as substitutes, Argentina showed its squad's depth.
The early elimination of two major contenders, Brazil and Uruguay, also favors the chances of the team coached by Gerardo Martino.
However, it is still too early for Argentina to begin celebrating a Copa America title which has escaped since winning in Ecuador in 1993, since Chile, Colombia and Mexico all fancy their chances.
Furthermore, the next opponent, Venezuela, should not be underestimated as it has improved greatly in recent years.
The other quarter-finals will see the U.S. face Ecuador, Colombia take on Peru and Mexico play against Chile. Enditem
