Maico Casella scored five goals for Argentina in a dominating 14-1 victory over Peru. Jose Tolini had three goals, while Peru capitalized on a penalty corner taken by Rodrigo Diaz Espinosa to erase the shutout. With the win Argentina moves on to the semifinals.

The result was never going to be in doubt for the match-up between the 2016 Olympic Champions Argentina and No. 55-ranked Peru but a midst the many goals were bright spots for the home team. Goal keeper Felix Mafferetti continued to find a way to make saves on the first and second shots, while Abel Romero and captain Fabrizio Corno showed great determination in blocking shots at the top of the circle.

Argentina seemed to cover every corner of the field, while Peru’s decision making made it hard for them to break out of their end. Jose Tolini scored on Argentina’s first penalty corner in the second minute and Matias Rey and Martin Ferreiro helped make it 3-0 by the end of the first quarter.

Lucas Martinez and Matias Paredes each scored in the second quarter, while Maico Casella had two to make it 7-0 at half time. In the final minute of the half Peru were able to get the ball in to Argentina’s circle. A miss trap by an Argentina defender gave Peru their first penalty corner. Diaz Espinosa beat Juan Vivaldi in the bottom right corner to send the faithful Peru crowd in to hysterics heading in to half time.

Opening the third quarter Tolini put in another penalty corner flick and Casella fired on the back hand to push Argentina’s lead to 9-1. In the 42^nd minute Peru took advantage of a bounce past Argentina captain Pedro Ibarra and Sebastian Dennison fired a reverse stick shot. Vivaldi just made the save with his stick giving the energetic crowd some hope for a second Peru goal but Casella added a third goal in the quarter to give Argentina the 10-1 lead heading in to the fourth.

Flowing through the motions Argentina showed a relaxed tempo in the backfield, while Peru’s Dennison was finding lanes for Edson Vera and Daniel Huanca. Vivaldi was called to action to make two saves and the Leones barely flinched as they cleared each attempt. 

In the fourth quarter, Casella tapped in a pass from Lucas Martinez to score his fifth of the game and Paredes added another to bring the score to 12-1. Tolini scored a low flick in the 57^th minute to tally a hat trick and a goal from Martin Ferreiro brought the final tally to 14-1.

As anticipated Argentina coast their way to the semifinal where they will await the winner of USA vs. Cuba. The Leones have been in every final since 1967 winning nine of the 13 appearances including the last two. Canada and Argentina have met in the past 11 finals.