Lionel Messi and Co were left frustrated after a shock comeback from Paraguay and they will need to improve dramatically to lift the Copa for the first time since 1993.
This was not supposed to happen. Copa America favorite Argentina looked like strolling to a comprehensive win over Paraguay after taking a 2-0 lead Saturday, but capitulation in the second half saw the Albiceleste held to a surprising 2-2 draw in La Serena. The inquest starts now.
Paraguay packed its half with men and defended deep early on, but Argentina appeared much more relaxed once Sergio Aguero had opened the scoring – and even more so after Lionel Messi made it 2-0 from the penalty spot.
Chances came and went for a third and in the end Gerardo Martino’s men paid the price as Nelson Haedo Valdez pulled a goal back in the second half and Argentina-born striker Lucas Barrios netted a dramatic late leveler to leave the stadium stunned.
Another Argentine, Paraguay coach Ramon Diaz, had been the target for some light-hearted abuse and poking of fun from the opposition support, yet his changes in the second half brought the Rojiblancos back into the game and exposed an Albiceleste midfield lacking in balance and a defence stretched by pace.
As Argentina crashed out of the last Copa America at the quarterfinal stage on penalties to Uruguay, its current coach Martino led Paraguay all the way to the final without winning any of its matches.
Tata’s team drew its three group games, before advancing all the way to the final with wins on penalties against Brazil and then Venezuela. That was all very well with a limited team like Paraguay, but much more is expected with this Argentina team brimming with world-class players – and this was not a satisfactory start.
At 2-1 up, Martino made changes to try and give Argentina the initiative once more. Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain came on for Javier Pastore and Sergio Aguero, with Lucas Biglia brought on to replace Ever Banega minutes later. And while there was plenty of attacking talent now on the pitch, the changes allowed Paraguay to go forward on the break – and Barrios struck a cruel blow with a 90th-minute strike that ruined the evening for those in blue and white.
It is of course far from the end of the world for an Argentina team who will face a Uruguay side missing its talisman Luis Suarez and unfancied Jamaica in its remaining group games, but winning Group B is essential if it is to avoid a meeting with Brazil in the next round. In any case, Argentina will need to do a lot better than this if it is to claim the Copa America for the first time since 1993.
Bron: goal.com