Argentina strike late to book Copa quarter-final berth

Argentina became the first side to book passage into the Copa America quarter-finals after a late strike from Lautaro Martinez earned them a 1-0 Group A victory over Chile.

Argentina top the group with six points after two matches, with Canada second on three following their 1-0 win over Peru earlier on Tuesday (local time).

Chile and Peru have one point each.

The loss extended Chile's winless streak against Argentina in the Copa America to 30 matches.

Chile have won the Copa twice but have never beaten Argentina in regulation time at the tournament, getting the better of them on penalties in the final of the 2015 and 2016 editions.

There was little to separate the two in a cautious opening spell at MetLife Stadium, but once Argentina got going the game quickly turned into a one-sided contest.

Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Gonzalez tested keeper Claudio Bravo with tame efforts, while Rodrigo de Paul smashed a swerving right-foot effort just over the crossbar.

Captain Lionel Messi, who played a role in both of Argentina's goals in their opening win over Canada, was again at his brilliant best and nearly opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a powerful low drive that hit the post.

Rodrigo Echeverria recorded Chile's first shot of the match in the 72nd minute, a powerful strike from distance that was kept out by Emiliano Martinez.

The Argentine goalkeeper, who barely had anything to do for over an hour, found himself called into action twice more over the next few minutes, keeping out efforts from Echeverria and Marcelino Nunez.

Just as it looked like the 15-time Copa America champions would be made to rue missed chances, substitute Martinez pounced on a rebound from a corner and lashed home a right-footed shot in the 88th minute to ensure victory and a top-two spot in the group.

In Kansas City, Jonathan David scored in the 74th minute as Canada beat Peru 1-0 in the Copa America for their first victory over a South American opponent in 24 years.

Peru played a man short after Miguel Araujo was given a red card in the 59th minute for a studs-up tackle on Jacob Shaffelburg, a call made after a video review.

Canada got their first win in four matches under Jesse Marsch, the American hired as coach last month, and beat a South American team for the first time since a 2-0 victory over Colombia in the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

David's goal, his 27th for Canada, ended the national team's 391-minute scoreless streak.

The game was paused in first-half stoppage time when an assistant referee running on the non-shaded part of the stadium collapsed and needed medical attention. He got to his feet briefly and was taken off the field in a stretcher.

Canada (1-1), in their first Copa America, rebounded from an opening 2-0 loss to defending champions Argentina, and Peru began with a 0-0 draw against Chile.

The Canadians close Group A on Saturday (local time) against Chile in Orlando, Florida, the same day Peru (0-1-1) face Argentina at Miami Gardens, Florida.

The top two teams advance to the quarter-finals.

David scored after Cyle Larin made a long outlet pass to Shaffelburg, who crossed. David took two touches and beat goalkeeper Pedro Gallese from near the penalty spot, sending the ball in off the far post.