Porto Alegre (Brazil) (AFP)

Messi can breathe. Argentina is still far from its best level, but assured the essential by qualifying for the quarterfinals of Copa America by defeating Qatar 2-0, Sunday in Porto Alegre.

Lautaro Martinez (4th) and Sergio Aguero (82) scored the goals of Albiceleste, which will face the surprising Venezuelan team on Friday at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Argentina, second in Group B behind Colombia, who won a third win against Paraguay (1-0), had the advantage of scoring early, helped by a big mistake by the Qatari defense. But she had to wait until the end of the match to get really safe, with the second goal of Aguero, who had missed many opportunities before.

After the initial defeat against Colombia (2-0) and the draw against Paraguay (1-1), the Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni decided to play his all-out, with a resolutely offensive team, leaving Messi free electron, in support of the Martinez-Agüero duo.

Successful bet: Aligned for the first time together, the two leading forwards scored the goals that qualified Argentina.

Driven by the thousands of fans who made the trip to Porto Alegre, the largest Brazilian city closest to Argentina, Albiceleste kicked off the match on the floor, with a very high laundry.

An effort quickly rewarded: under pressure, Bassam Hicham totally missed his recovery, fell directly into the feet of Lautaro Martinez, who did not pray to crucify the guardian.

- Dybala and Messi together -

Not enough to satiate Argentines determined to exorcise their demons to remove the specter of a humiliating elimination in the first round.

Perfectly put on orbit by Messi, Agüero found himself alone in front of the goalkeeper, but shot right next (21st). The Manchester City striker had another hot opportunity with a strike countered in extremis by a defender (40th).

But as nothing is ever easy for this Argentinian team, the Qatar team gave the men of Scaloni cold sweats just before the break.

Bassam Hicham, the guilty defender on the Argentine goal, was almost pardoned on a free kick (45th), but his shot was pushed back to the post.

On the hour of play, Agüero stumbled on goalkeeper Qatari Al-Sheeb, before Messi himself was clumsy (77th), sending the ball into the stands while he was alone at the level. penalty point.

It was not until the 82nd that "Kun" Agüero finally found the fault, taking Al-Sheeb against the foot.

A small event occurred fifteen minutes from the end: Scaloni decided to return Paolo Dybala, relegated to the bench for alleged incompatibility with Messi.

The two stars played together for the first time in almost two years and a draw (1-1) against Venezuela, the opponent Argentina will play in the quarterfinals.

? 2019 AFP