Argentina Stroll At Copa America

Argentina maintained their 100 percent start to the Copa America Centenario with an easy win over Bolivia, as holders Chile booked their place in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

The tournament favourites, already assured of a quarterfinal berth after wins over Chile and Panama, wrapped up their Group D campaign with one-sided win at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field.

The victory sees Argentina reach the last eight as group winners, handing them what in theory should be a straightforward assignment against Venezuela in Foxborough on Saturday.

The two-time world champions are determined to end a 23-year wait for a major title after suffering agonising defeats in the finals of the 2014 World Cup and last year’s Copa America.

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino elected to rest captain Lionel Messi after his devastating hat-trick performance against Panama.

But the Argentines were still far too strong for a feeble Bolivian team who were overwhelmed in a devastating opening period.

The match was effectively settled within the first quarter of an hour, with Tottenham Hotspur winger Erik Lamela opening the scoring with a deflected free-kick in the 13th minute.

Two minutes later China-based forward Ezequiel Lavezzi marked his comeback from injury with a goal, volleying home from close range after Gonzalo Higuain’s downward header.

Central defender Victor Cuesta made it 3-0 just after the half-hour, diverting home Lavezzi’s low cross in the 32nd minute.

With Messi coming on as a substitute at halftime, the game became a question of when or if the Barcelona superstar could grab a 54th international goal to equal Gabriel Batistuta’s longstanding scoring record.

However despite Argentina’s dominance of possession – which reached 87 percent at one point – Messi was unable to add to his tally.