With Messi sidelined and their coach suspended, Argentina faces Peru in a Copa America match that has seen ticket prices plummet, though the team is already securely in the quarter-finals.

Argentina, already through to the quarter-finals with a perfect group stage record, will take on Peru without star Lionel Messi, who is recovering from a minor injury, and head coach Lionel Scaloni, who is serving a suspension. As tickets sales nosedive, Assistant Coach Walter Samuel is set to take the reins, possibly giving the spotlight to emerging talents like Alejandro Garnacho and Valentin Carboni. Meanwhile, Peru clings to hopes of advancing, needing both a win and a favorable outcome in the Canada-Chile game.

Argentina's match against Peru may be lacking some star power, but it certainly won't be lacking in drama. With Lionel Messi sidelined due to a right leg injury, fans will have to wait to see their hero return to the pitch, hopefully in time for the quarter-finals on July 4.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni’s absence adds another layer to the narrative. Scaloni is suspended for this game following the delays in the match against Chile. His deputy, Assistant Coach Walter Samuel, will step into the spotlight, tasked with navigating the squad through their final group stage encounter. Let's hope Samuel has packed his lucky whistle!

Despite these absences, Argentina's position couldn't be much more secure. They top Group A with six points, having already secured their place in the quarter-finals courtesy of victories over Chile and Canada. The win against Chile was a tight 1-0 affair, and the team managed a 2-0 win against Canada. It seems even on an off-day, Messi's magic still finds a way to weave through, much to the relief (and sometimes exasperation) of fans and opponents alike.

The announcement of Messi's absence had an immediate impact beyond the pitch. Ticket prices for the Argentina vs. Peru match, once the hottest commodity of the tournament, have tumbled by 22%. While demand might have been driven by the chance to see Messi in action, fans will now have to settle for the rest of Argentina’s line-up—a silver lining for those wanting to see the 'next Messi' before he's mainstream!

Walter Samuel, stepping in for Scaloni, hinted that Argentina might rest several key players. With qualification already assured, there’s room to experiment and give younger talents a shot. Expectations are that Alejandro Garnacho and Valentin Carboni, two promising players, might be introduced to the Copa America stage. After all, the only thing warming the bench might be Scaloni's lucky hat!

Argentina and their fans may be able to take a more relaxed view of this game, but for Peru, the encounter is nothing short of crucial. Peru requires a win against Argentina and must hope Chile defeats Canada to keep their own qualification dreams alive. It's a high-stakes scenario, and one can only imagine the pressure on the Peruvian squad. If the players' nerves were visible, they might need more than just their soccer boots to keep steady on the field!

Even though Messi’s minor injury has caused some ripples, reports suggest he’ll be back in time for the quarter-finals. Argentina’s strategy appears to ensure he's fully fit for the knockout rounds, possibly explaining why several other key players might have also received an inadvertent 'spa day' ahead of the crucial stages.

As the final group stage game approaches, fans will get a glimpse into the depth of Argentina's squad. With young talents like Alejandro Garnacho and Valentin Carboni potentially entering the fold and the seasoned Walter Samuel taking over the reins, the match against Peru promises to be more than just a formality for the dominant Group A leaders.