Argentina Trumps Paraguay 6-1 To Face Chile In Copa America Finals

Argentina cruised past Paraguay handing the latter a 6-1 beating in their Copa America semifinals round. Barcelona star Lionel Messi needed only three assists and a scoreless night to punch their finals ticket for a showdown against host nation Chile on Saturday.

Messi helped Argentina with his superb play-making skills after setting up plays for his teammates that resulted to five goals. The Barca forward assisted Marcos Rojo and Javier Pastore’s first half goals, and one of Angel Di Maria’s goal in the second period. He was also the key in Argentina’s final two goals courtesy of Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain.

“We talked about that just before the match and we said it was just chance that we hadn’t scored more because we’ve been playing well. Today all the goals came at once,” Messi said as per the Guardian.

Striker Lucas Barrios scored the lone goal for Paraguay late in the first half powering a left-foot kick from the top of the box that went over Argentinian goalkeeper Sergio Romero’s outstretched hand to cut the lead to half. Paraguay entered the second half full of hope that they will duplicate the same outcome when they forced a 2-2 stalemate against Argentina in their group match of the tournament, but Tata Martino’s unstoppable squad spoiled Paraguay’s title run.

Injury plagued Paraguay in the first period losing key players Derlis Gonzalez and veteran striker Roque Santa Cruz in the 26th and 30th minute respectively. Gonzalez scored the equaliser and converted the decisive penalty in their crucial quarterfinals win against a Neymar-less Brazil.

Just two minutes after halftime, Di Maria sent a blow to start their second period onslaught after entering an area free of Paraguayan defenders. The attacking midfielder from Manchester United netted another goal after 5 minutes off a rebound from Pastore’s deflected attempt making it impossible for a depleted Paraguay team to get close. Messi orchestrated the final goals of Aguero and Higuain, who individually scored close-range shots in the 80th and 83rd minute mark.

Argentina, who never lost to Chile in the tournament, will attempt to end a 22-year title drought. The Argentines have not won a title since the 1993 Copa America and will look to beat a Chilean team backed by the best players they ever had and an enormous home crowd with hopes of capturing its first South American championship.