‘Tata’ Martino’s side threw away a two goal lead in the most exciting game of the tournament so far, as Paraguay pulled off a sensational comeback.
Argentina got off to a strong start, dominating the opening stages, which saw a high number of corners delivered by Ángel Di María. One in particular caught the eye, as Manchester United’s £60m signing tried to catch Paraguay goalkeeper Antony Silva off guard, curling the corner towards goal before Silva reacted in time, punching to safety.
The frantic Argentine start continued into the 18th minute. Barcelona’s Javier Mascherano struck a fierce shot from the edge of the box that was turned past the post by team-mate Lionel Messi, for his first effort of the game.
Javier Pastore threaded through a fantastic pass to Sergio Agüero, but he was thwarted by a magnificent tackle from Miguel Samudio.
Within minutes Samudio undid all of his good work. Under pressure from a rampant Messi, the Paraguayan full-back attempted a pass back to Silva, but sold his goalkeeper short. Agüero latched on to the ball, prior rounding Silva and tucking into the empty net to put Argentina one goal up inside 30 minutes.
Five minutes later Samudio was involved again, this time clattering Di María, inevitably conceding a penalty. That penalty was perfectly dispatched by Messi, giving Silva no chance down to his left-hand side.
The teams went in at half time with Argentina totally dominant and more than worthy of their two goal lead.
Argentina carried the same pattern of play into the second half, challenging early on as Pastore and Messi linked up swiftly before Silva made a point-blank save.
Despite Argentina’s dominance, Paraguay had a sudden shot of inspiration. Nelson Haedo Valdez linked up well with Roque Santa Cruz, only to see his strike at goal saved by Sergio Romero. Seconds later the result was different. The Eintracht Frankfurt forward picked up the ball 30 yards from goal, took a few paces forward and hammered the ball into the back of the net leaving Romero absolutely helpless.
Argentina responded quickly, Messi weaved his way through on goal and rounded Silva, only to slide his shot agonisingly wide of the goal from a tight angle. Following on from this, Samudio was again involved in some questionable defending, flicking the ball to Pastore, who could only find the gloves of Silva.
The final 25 minutes were an end-to-end affair. Paraguay pushed players forward in search of an equaliser, while Argentina matched them looking to settle it.
Paraguay almost sneaked an equaliser as Derlis González skipped away from Di María, but Haedo Valdez failed to make contact as the ball was flashed across. Straight up the other end it was a similar story for Argentina, with Di María slamming the ball across the face of goal, but Messi unable to touch it in on the slide.
A well-worked Paraguay breakaway led to Santa Cruz holding the ball up well, teeing up Samudio whose shot was turned over by Romero, saving Argentina once more.
In the final minute of the game, former Dortmund forward Lucas Barrios leveled the game for Paraguay, clawing themselves back from two goals down. A free kick floated in to the box was knocked down to Barrios, who tucked the ball into the corner of the net – leaving Romero helpless again.
Argentina had a chance to win it in stoppage time, but substitute Carlos Tevez squandered his big opportunity.
So came to an end an unbelievable game in La Serena. Argentina boss ‘Tata’ Martino will be furious at his side throwing away a two goal lead in the second half, but Paraguay’s Ramón Díaz shall be ecstatic as his side go into Tuesday’s game against Jamaica with the opportunity to put themselves in a strong position to qualify.
Argentina: Romero; Roncaglia, Garay, Otamendi, Rojo; Banega (Biglia 80), Mascherano, Pastore (Tevez 75); Messi, Di María, Agüero (Higuaín 75)
Paraguay: Silva; M. Cáceres, Da Silva, Aguilar, Samudio; V. Cáceres, Ortigoza, Ortíz (González 46); Bobadilla (Benítez 66), Santa Cruz (Barrios 78), Haedo Valdez
Booked: Aguilar, Ortíz, Roncaglia, González, Víctor Cáceres, Otamendi, Barrios
Goalscorers: Agüero, Messi, Haedo Valdez, Barrios
Man of the Match: Lionel Messi. Most would have expected it before the game, so they won’t be surprised to see it now. The 27-year-old put on a fine display, scoring from the spot and was, as he so often is, at the heart of everything good his team did.