Sergio Aguero gets Argentina's campaign back on track

Sergio Aguero’s second-half headed winner got Argentina’s Copa America campaign back on track, giving Tata Martino’s side a narrow - and somewhat nervy - 1-0 win over defending champions Uruguay.

Argentina let slip a two goal lead in their opening game against Paraguay, conceding two late goals to eventually draw 2-2. But Martino’s men returned to winning ways against Uruguay, although not in a particularly convincing manner.

Both sides struggled to create opportunities in an insipid first half, with Aguero coming closest with a header at the back post. Lionel Messi also impressed, but despite their territorial dominance Argentina couldn’t find the breakthrough.

But the tournament favourites found the opener just before the hour mark when Aguero stooped at the near post to head home a cross played into the six-yard box by Manchester City team-mate Pablo Zabaleta.

9’ FIRST REAL CHANCE OF THE MATCH! Pastore feeds the ball out to Di Maria, who works his way into the box. He comes on to the shot with his left foot, but Muslera makes the save.

22’ COULDN'T QUITE MAKE THE CONNECTION! Uruguay do really well down the left hand side with Rodriguez playing the ball into the area. But Rolan can't stretch far enough to make the header.

26’ BIG CHANCE FOR AGUERO! Messi does brilliantly to tease a cross into Aguero at the back post, but the Manchester City striker can't generate the pace and Muslera makes the save from his header.

57’ GOAL! Argentina 1 Uruguay 0: The tournament favourites have the lead, and it's a goal made in Manchester! Zabaleta crosses the ball in from the right and Aguero heads home at the near post.

76’ WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY! Pereira's shot from distance is spilled by Romero, giving Rolan the chance to finish from about eight yards out with the rebound. However, the Uruguayan sticks it over the bar.

80’ NOT TOO FAR AWAY FROM GOAL! The ball falls to Gonzalez about 25 yards out, with the Torino midfielder striking towards goal on the half-volley. But it dips just past the target.

84’ THAT WAS HEADING IN! Messi takes the ball on the edge of the box and takes aim. His left-footed shot is a good one, but Muslera reads it well and makes the save at his near post.

87’ LAST OPPORTUNITY: That was a chance for Uruguay! Godin came up from the back for a corner kick and meets the delivery. But his header is blocked by a group of Argentina defenders inside the six yard box.

90’ MASSIVE SAVE FROM ROMERO! Pereira plays the ball into the centre, with Hernandez striking at the near post. But the Argentine goalkeeper makes the save to keep his team ahead.

Aguero is the first Argentine to score in two consecutive Copa America tournaments since Gabriel Bastituta.

Every match ever played between Argentina and Uruguay played on a neutral ground that was 0-0 at half-time has ended in a 1-0 Argentina win.

Heading into this tournament, it was widely expected that Argentina would be the most productive side - in an attacking sense - in Chile this summer. Martino has the best attacking line-up in international football at his disposal and yet they looked disjointed and out of sync in the second half against Paraguay, and against Uruguay took. The former Barca boss must find a way to get his frontline firing before the latter stages.

The Manchester City sat on the bench for the opening match draw against Paraguay, but made the starting lineup for the win over Uruguay. And Zabaleta was as big a factor in Argentina claiming that win as anyone else, providing the assist for Aguero’s winner. The full-back was a useful outlet down the right-side throughout the match, also performing well defensively.

Argentina - Romero 7, Zabaleta 8, Garay 6, Otamendi 6, Rojo 7, Mascherano 6, Biglia 6, Pastore 7, Messi 7, Di Maria 6, Aguero 7. Subs - Banega 6, Tevez 5, Pereyra.

Uruguay - Muslera 7, Pereira 6, Gimenez 6, Godin 7, Pereira 5, Arevalo 5, Lodeiro 7, Gonzalez 6, Rodriguez 5, Cavani 5, Rolan 7. Subs - Hernandez 6, Sanchez 5.