Copa América: Canada qualify for quarter-finals as Argentina top Group A

Canada played out a dour goalless Copa América draw with 10-man Chile on Saturday to claim second place in Group A and progress to the quarter-finals of the tournament.

The draw meant Canada finished with four points in Group A on their Copa América debut, behind leaders Argentina, who had already qualified for the quarter-finals. Chile finished third in the group, and exited the tournament without a goal to their name, prolonging a scoring drought in which they have netted only three goals in their first six 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Needing to win and have other results go their way, Chile had their uphill task made even harder when Gabriel Suazo was shown a second yellow card in the 27th minute for bringing down Richie Laryea. The red card was protested angrily by Chile’s players, who criticised the refereeing after the match.

“Conmebol has to be a little more efficient and learn from what Europe is like. It is no excuse, but refereeing like that makes you angry. A red card ruins the whole game,” Chile forward Alexis Sánchez said. “I apologise to the people for this elimination, but we are going to do everything to go to the World Cup.”

Chile also felt aggrieved after Canada defender Moïse Bombito appeared to elbow Rodrigo Echeverria in the fifth minute but VAR did not review the incident.

Chile captain Claudio Bravo, sidelined through injury, shared a video of the incident on X, saying: “It is unbelievable that with the technology that exists today in soccer, they can screw you over in this way. It is very hard to understand, it is impossible to compete against this. We leave with our heads held high, we gave everything!”

In the early stages of the first half, Chile created more scoring opportunities, with Victor Davila coming closest with a volley that flashed wide of the right post in the 21st minute. However, the dismissal of Suazo shifted the balance in Canada’s favour.

In the 38th minute, Jonathan David collided with Gabriel Arias while attempting to lob the Chile goalkeeper. Despite Canada’s appeals for a penalty, the referee remained unmoved. Arias was again called into action in the 42nd minute, rushing off his line to stop Stephen Eustaquio’s shot from the edge of the area.

Chile continued to press after the break but failed to seriously trouble Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, before they started to flag in the humid conditions in Florida. Canada thought they had taken the lead in the second minute of stoppage time through substitute Tani Oluwaseyi, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

In Group A’s other match on Saturday, Lautaro Martínez struck twice in the second half to help Argentina’s second string beat Peru 2-0 at the Copa América, knocking Peru out of the tournament. Martínez, featuring in the starting lineup for the first time in the competition, found the net in the 47th and 86th minutes, scoring for a third straight match.

The Internazionale striker finished off a flowing move, coolly chipping the ball over Peru keeper Pedro Gallese, and repeated the trick to seal the win after some sloppy defending by Peru.

Argentina had already qualified for the quarter-finals before the match in Miami with wins over Canada and Chile. That security allowed the defending champions to rest key players, including captain Lionel Messi.

Messi, who celebrated his 37th birthday on Monday, is recovering from a thigh injury he picked up during their win over Chile on Tuesday. He is expected to return for their quarter-final on Thursday in Houston against the Group B runner-up.

Argentina missed the presence of their star in the first half, as the world champions struggled to create quality scoring opportunities. La Albiceleste dominated possession in the first half and had three attempts on target, but Gallese kept the scoreline respectable with a string of saves. The most notable save came from a well-struck free kick by Leandro Paredes in the 26th minute.

The defending champions had a gilt-edged chance to extend their lead when they were awarded a penalty for handball in the 72nd minute, but Paredes smashed his spot-kick off the post.

Despite the absence of their coach Lionel Scaloni, suspended and fined for late second-half starts in two previous matches, and a much-changed starting lineup, Argentina were largely untroubled by their opponents.