Argentina advances to quarter-finals in Houston

Argentina will play the Copa America quarter-finals at NRG on Thursday after winning their group on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over Peru.

Now the big question: Will Lionel Messi play?

Messi was not in uniform for Argentina’s win over Peru in Miami due to an upper thigh injury. He skipped the match in the hope of playing in the round of 16.

Argentina, which won Group A, will face the second-place team in Group B. Venezuela leads Group B with six points. Mexico and Ecuador are tied on three points. Mexico will face Ecuador on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz., and Venezuela will face Jamaica on Sunday in Austin.

Messi was on the bench with his team-mates and when he appeared on the stadium screens, the 64,972 spectators roared and chanted “Messi! Messi!” He jumped up and down to celebrate Lautoro Martinez’s two goals and was in high spirits whenever the camera panned to him as Argentina dominated from start to finish.

Martínez was then hugged by his teammates, then went to hug Messi, who was standing near the Argentina bench.

“I went to hug Léo for everything he means to us,” Martínez said through an interpreter.

Defender German Pezzella was optimistic that Messi would be ready to play on Thursday.

“I hope he can get to 100 percent quickly,” Pezzella told the Miami Herald. “We see him in a very good mood and he gives us the feeling that he will be with us in the next match.”

Documents from the Associated Press and the Miami Herald were used in this report.