BUENOS AIRES, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) — A first-half goal from Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez gave Argentina a 1-0 victory over Peru in their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier here on Thursday.
Martinez sent a powerful header past goalkeeper Pedro Gallese on the stroke of halftime after Nahuel Molina’s precise cross from the right-wing.
The visitors emerged from the halftime break with renewed energy and they had a chance to equalize just after the hour mark when Jefferson Farfan was tripped by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
But Yoshimar Yotun sent the resultant spot-kick off the top side of the bar.
Argentina took control thereafter, coasting to their seventh win of the qualifying tournament.
Lionel Scaloni’s men are unbeaten in their past 25 matches and are second in the 10-team South American group, six points behind Brazil. Peru are second-last with just 11 points from 12 games.
