Paraguay scores late equaliser to deny Argentina a winning start

Messi was on the scoresheet as Argentina opened their campaign with a draw against Paraguay

Argentina began their Copa America campaign with a 2-2 draw against Paraguay in the Group B opener at La Serena on Saturday. Paraguay substitute Lucas Barrios scored a late equaliser as they snatched a draw against Lionel Messi and company.

Argentina looked like they were cruising to victory after Sergio Aguero opened the scoring for Albiceleste. The Argentine captain Messi then converted a penalty as they cruised to a 2-0 lead before half-time.

But Paraguay were not in the mood to concede defeat and Nelson Valdez reduced the deficit by hitting a stunning long-range strike with 60 minutes on the clock. Paraguay then went on to complete the comeback in the dying minutes of the match with substitute Lucas Barrios scoring the equaliser.

Strong start by Argentina

Messi nearly gave Argentina the lead in the 18th minute when his shot went just wide of the post. They were denied again when Aguero’s effort was cleared by a last-ditch effort from Pablo Aguilar.

It didn’t take long though as Aguero latched onto a miss pass made by Samudio after some pressing by Messi and scored by rounding off the keeper in the 29^th minute. Messi then converted a penalty after Angel Di Maria was brought down in the box seven minutes later. This time too, the culprit was Samudio.

Paraguay came into their own in the second half as they started creating opportunities of their own. And it was against the run of play that Valdez reduced the deficit. The forward unleashed a fierce shot which rattled into the top corner.

Messi and his teammates were a constant threat for the Paraguayans, but the Argentine’s could not convert their chances into goals. It looked like Argentina were going to hold onto a win when Lucas Barrios rifled in the ball from close range. Argentina will rue their missed chances while Paraguay will go home with a well earned point for not giving up on the tie.