Argentina v Peru: Argentina’s younger players will get a chance to shine in the Copa America group meeting with Peru.
Reigning Copa champions Argentina booked their place in the quarter-finals of the competition after a 1-0 win over Chile on Wednesday.
It offers an opportunity for Lionel Scaloni to experiment with his side and he hopes the Argentine youngsters can seize the moment against La Blanquirroja.
“We are satisfied and can enjoy the days and give minutes to the youngest,” said Lionel Scaloni.
“I think it’s only fair that players who haven’t had a minute get on the pitch.
“Hopefully, if we give them (the young players) an opportunity, they’ll be able to take advantage of it.”
However, La Albiceleste will be without captain Lionel Messi, who will be rested for the knockout stages of the competition after training on Thursday.
“At the beginning of the match I felt some discomfort in my right hamstring,” Messi said after the win over Chile.
“My adductor stiffened in the first game. I didn’t feel a tear, but it was hard for me to move freely.
“It wasn’t as loose as it should have been. But I was able to finish the game. We’ll see how it goes.”
Peru, meanwhile, know they must earn a first win over their opponents since June 1997, a 2-1 win at the Copa America, to progress to the quarter-finals.
They picked up just one point from their opening two group games, the last losing to Canada thanks to Jonathan David’s winner.
Jorge Fossati’s side are now winless in their last five games at the tournament, their longest winless streak in the competition (since at least 1993), and face a huge task against the reigning world champions.
