Lautaro Martinez and Gio Lo Celso were the scorers as Argentina held off the challenge of Venezuela, earning a 2-0 victory to set up a mouth-watering Copa America semi-final against hosts Brazil.
For once, La Albiceleste were able to triumph despite a low-key performance from Lionel Messi, with a strong all-round team performance proving too much for spirited but limited Venezuela.
Check out how all the players rated…
ARGENTINA
O 🇨🇱 venceu a 🇨🇴 nos pênaltis no terceiro jogo das quartas de final da @CONMEBOL #CopaAmerica e agora aguarda as semifinais para conhecer seu próximo adversário: 🇺🇾 ou 🇵🇪. pic.twitter.com/a3y3huDTSO
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) 29 June 2019
Armani 6: Didn’t always look convincing, especially when coming out to clear, but made a key save to deny Hernandez at 1-0.
Foyth 7: Faced a real test against the pace of Machis but stuck to his task with determination and ended up coming out on top.
Pezzella 7: Solid at the back and always a threat when he attacked set-pieces, twice coming close in the first half.
Otamendi 8: Made a succession of important defensive interventions inside his penalty area, enjoying his physical tussle with Rondon.
Tagliafico 6: Solid defensively but had little opportunity to get forward. Switched off to give Venezuela their biggest chance.
Acuna 7: Worked hard up and down the left wing, throwing himself into the task to epitomise his team’s no-nonsense approach.
Paredes 7: Sensible use of possession in the pivot role in midfield, and threw his body on the line to stifle Venezuela.
De Paul 7: Lined up on the right of midfield and really grew into the game, doing really well to help set up the second goal.
Messi 5: Very below par display, only really showing his quality from set-pieces, including the corner for the opening goal.
Aguero 7: Led the line with energy and determination, coming close with an early strike and playing a role in both goals.
Martinez 8: Bright and sharp demonstration of all-round forward play, covering plenty of ground and producing a slick finish for the first goal.
SUBS
Di Maria 6: Surprisingly brought on for the excellent Martinez but justified his introduction with a hard-working showing.
Lo Celso 6: Came off the bench to replace Acuna in midfield and slotted home into an open net for the second goal minutes later.
Dybala 6: Given a brief run-out to relieve Aguero in the latter stages and played his part in running down the clock.
VENEZUELA
Roberto Rosales takes issue with being replaced.
Farinez 4: Made a smart early stop from Aguero, but was left wrong-footed for the first goal and made a real hash of the second.
Hernandez 6: A largely restrained performance but sprang forward for his team’s best chance, shooting too close to Armani.
Chancellor 6: Dominant in the air and dogged albeit rather clumsy on the ground. Plenty of endeavour but sometimes out of his depth.
Mago 5: Struggled to contain the movement of Martinez and was replaced early in the second half in a tactical reshuffle.
Rosales 7: The versatile full-back lined up on the left and produced a typically hard-working display, always looking to get forward.
Rincon 5: The Venezuela skipper made a hash of his clearance for the opener and that rather summed up a wayward performance.
Moreno 6: Tried to keep things moving and battle for loose balls in the centre of the field but was second best to Paredes.
Herrera 6: Initially the most attacking of Venezuela’s midfield trio but was later repositioned into the centre of defence.
Murillo 5: Flitted in and out of the game down the right, struggling to offer a sustained threat and getting little change out of Tagliafico.
Rondon 6: Provided a physically powerful presence in attack, but ultimately found himself well shackled by Argentina’s back line.
Machis 6: Venezuela’s most dangerous player, showing searing pace down the left, but couldn’t deliver meaningful crosses and was replaced.
SUBS
Soteldo 6: Entered the fray early in the second half as an attacking midfielder and showed some nice technique, but couldn’t create anything.
Martinez 5: Introduced for Machis on the left wing with 20 minutes left, but made less impact than the man he replaced.
Seijas 5: Came on for Rosales in the final stages and had little opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
