Argentina v Panama, Soldier Fields, Chicago.
They came into the match with an identical record in Group D. It was a match that was going to decide which of the teams will be going on into the knockout stage of the Copa America Centenario.
Both teams have had a good start to their tournament. And the objective tonight was to ensure a continuation of their first match performances and results.
Six points is the Mecca in a four-team group where each team plays just a match against the other. A win here will place these teams in the knockout stage.
Result from the other Group D match between Chile and Bolivia meant a loss will likely have you fighting for another win to advance out of this group
Argentina dominated the match. This was what we expect when the number 1 team in the world faces a team that is not in the top 20.
It didn’t help Panama to go down a man in the early part of the match. Godoy had 2 yellow cards in under 10 minutes. Panama had to fight off the attacking strength of Argentina with a man down from the 31st minute of the match.
Match finished 5-0. The Fifa player of the year had the second hat trick in the Copa America Centenario.
It took 7 minutes for Argentina to take the lead. A goal from Otamendi relaxed any nerves the Argentines might have had.
The lead lasted till the second half. 54 minutes after the first goal, Lionel Messi was introduced into the match. This was his First participation in the Copa America Centenario. It took Messi 7 minutes to double the score for Argentina. Ten minutes after doubling the score, he tripled it with a beautiful curler from a freekick. And quadrupled it in the 87th minute. In 19 minutes he changed a 1-0 scoreline to a 4-0 score line. Sergio Aguero added another goal to a deflated Panama team in the 90th minute.
Argentina advances into the knockout stage. Their next match is against Bolivia. Bolivia is already eliminated, and Argentina has already clinched the quarter-finals. We expect a stress-free entertaining match between the two
On the other side will be Panama vs Chile. A win keeps you in the competition, a loss sends you away with Bolivia. Chile will be fine with a draw, thanks to the damage Argentina did to Panama. Both teams have their destiny in their own hands.
| Group D | |||||||
| Team | Played | Win | Loss | Draw | GF | GA | Points |
| Argentina | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 6 |
| Chile | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Panama | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Bolivia | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
