Paraguay showed resilience against the star studded Argentina team as a late goal by Lucas Barrios gave Paraguay and unexpected draw against the Argentines.
As expected, some big names were missing in the Argentina’s starting 11, with Carlos Tevez and Pablo Zabaleta topping the list.
Line ups:
Argentina: Romero- Roncaglia, Garay, Otamendi, Rojo – Banega, Mascherano, Pastore – Messi, Aguero, Di-Maria.
Paraguay: Silva-M. Caceres, Da Silva, Aguilar, Samudo V. Caceras, Ortigoza, Ortiz – Bobadilla, Santa Cruz, Valdez.
The game started with little or no fireworks, the Argentines where seeing most of the ball as the Paraguayans realising they are the underdogs in the match appeared comfortable conceding possession to their opponents, who themselves seem clueless in attack. Nicolas Otamendi’s header from a set piece in the opening minutes went over the cross bar. The Argentines continued to play without direction, the first real chance came in the 18th minute when Messi who was constantly surrounded by the opposition players redirected a Mascherano shot just wide.
The Argentine continued pushing forward as a low shot from Aguero when straight into Silva’s hand. Two minutes later, Silva found himself facing Aguero again, Aguero did it better this time, taking advantage of embarrassingly poor back pass unto his path by Samudo and he had no trouble running around the keeper and putting the ball into the back of the net, making it 1-0 (29′)
Six minute later Argentina made it 2-0, a run from Di-Maria ended in a awful dive and a controversial penalty was awarded to the Argentines, which Messi converted easily, at this point the game seemed to be over. In the 40th min Messi was brought down in the penalty area, but the referee chose to ignore it. (Half time 2-0).
The second half began with the Argentines maintaining their dominance as the Paraguayans seemed to be more interested playing for pride.
Silva denied the Argentine their third goal as a beautiful one-two by Messi and Pastore saw Messi fired a shot, but Silva well positioned to save the ball. Nelson Valdez put the Paraguyans back into the game after he fired a beautiful screamer into the top of the net. 2-1.
Messi responded quickly as he broke through the Paraguay defense but his final ball went wide. Pastore didn’t wait too long before he took turn to test Silva who pulled a brilliant save, the resulting corner gave Aguero to have another go. The Argentine continued to create chances but failed to convert them.
In the 75ft minute Martino decided to bring in Tevez and Higuain to replace Aguero and Pastore. Neither of them could save Argentina as Lucas Barrios, who came in for Santa Cruz fired a low shot into the left corner, 2-2 (90′).
Paraguay came out of the game with an unexpected point against Argentina who face Uruguay in their next match on Tuesday. Uruguay defeated Jamaica (1-0) in the first game of group B.
Copa America 2011: Chile takes the Group A
Copa America 2011: Chile takes the Group A
The Copa America has been such a letdown, with just two matches to wrap up the group stages. Chile are the only team who’ve actually played some good football and put on a bit of a show, in a tournament that parades some of the super stars of European club Football.
Group A is comprised of, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador and Mexico. If pen and paper decide what happens on the football pitch, Chile and Mexico will be the clear favorite to qualify from the group. While the host (Chile) had lived up to expectations; winning 7 of the possible 9 points and scoring as many goals, Mexico Failed to make it through to the next round after winning only 2 of a possible 9 points.Bolivia and Ecuador were tagged the underdogs of the group. However, irrespective of the tag, they both managed to stay ahead of Mexico in the group table. A draw in their first game followed by a win against Ecuador in the second group games was enough to secure Bolivia the second spot in the group table.
Jorge Sampaoli’s Chile started on a promising note, a win against Ecuador in the opening match, followed by a draw against Mexico, and crushing Bolivia in the last group game, was enough to win the top spot in the group.
GROUP TABLE
Group A |
||||||
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Chile | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Bolivia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -4 | 4 |
| Ecuador | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 3 |
| Mexico | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 2 |
STAR PLAYER: Alexis Sanchez
Following a successful debut season at Arsenal, Alexis had shown no traces of fatigue as he had worked tirelessly in Chile’s group matches. His first two games were not rewarded with goals, a diving header in the last game of the round; however, put an end to his barrenness in front of goal.Honourable mention: Aturo Vidal
Top Goal Scorers
Aturo Vidal (Chile) 3Eduardo Vargas (Chile) 2
Charles Aranguiz (Chile) 2
Miller Bolanos (Ecuador) 2
Vicente Virtuoso (Mexico) 2
Total Goals of the Round (Group A) 21
Chile 9 goals: Vidal (3) Vargas (2), Aranguiz (2), Sanchez (1), Medel (1)Bolivia 3 goals: Marcelo Moreno (1), Ronald Raldes (1), Martin Smedberg-Dalence (1)
Ecuador 4 goals: Miller Bolanos (2), Enner Valencia (1)
Mexico 4 goals: Vicente Vuoso (2), Juan Carlos Valenzuela (2), Raul Jimenez (1)
