Argentina throw away two-goal lead to draw with Paraguay

Argentina sensationally threw away a two-goal lead, as Lucas Barrios scored a dramatic late equaliser to snatch a point for Paraguay against the tournament favourites.

Tata Martino’s side had looked on course for a comfortable win, after first-half goals from Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi, but were pegged back by Nelson Valdez’s stunning long-range strike on the hour mark.

The goal seemed to energise Paraguay, with Argentina shaken. The underdogs continued to press but looked to have missed the chance of claiming a point following spurned opportunities by Valdez and Miguel Samudio.

However, with just minutes left on the clock Barrios slammed home a finish from a da Silva knock-down inside the area to restore parity and complete Paraguay’s unlikely second half comeback from two-goals down.

16’ BIG SAVE FROM SILVA! Di Maria spots that the Paraguay goalkeeper is slightly off his line and tries to whip a corner kick into the net - but Silva gets back to punch off his line and over.

21’ INCHES WIDE! The ball finds Mascherano on the edge of the box, with the midfielder firing off a shot at goal. But his effort is deflected just wide of the post by Messi. He knew what he was doing. So close.

31’ GOAL! Argentina 1 Paraguay 0: Oh dear. A poor back pass from one of the Paraguay defenders sets Aguero through on goal, with the striker rounding the keeper and finishing into the empty net.

38’ GOAL! Argentina 2 Paraguay 0: Di Maria wins the penalty kick, but it is Messi who steps up to the 12-yard mark and finds the corner to give his side a 2-0 lead.

50’ BIG CALL: The referee has a big decision to make. Gonzalez, who was booked just a few moments ago after coming off the bench at the break, trips Di Maria. The referee shows him mercy though and keeps his cards in his pocket.

59’ SILVA STOP: That save from Silva keeps Paraguay just about in the contest for the time being. Pastore and Messi linked up well around the penalty aea, with the latter shooting at the near post. But Silva made the stop.

62’ GOAL! Argentina 2 Paraguay 1: Paraguay are back in this game! Valdez took aim from 20 yards and bent a stunning strike past Romero. Wow!

65’ MESSI CHANCE! By his standards that probably counts as a sitter. He beat the Paraguay defence and rounded Silva, but from a tight angle he dragged his shot wide of the far post!

69’ MASSIVE SAVE! For all the world that Pastore shot looked to be finding the Paraguay net. It was at a nice height for Silva, but even still - the reactions to tip that effort wide were excellent.

73’ SO CLOSE TO AN EQUALISER! Gonzalez plays a pass right across the face of goal, but neither Caceres nor Valdez can force it goalwards, with the ball flashes just past the far post.

79’ CHANCE FOR REDEMPTION! Paraguay tease Argentina on the edge of the box, with the ball played out to Samudio for the shot, but his effort is tipped over the bar by Romero.

81’ SAVE AT THE NEAR POST! Now Argentina come flying forward on the counter attack, with the ball played out to Di Maria down the left channel, but his shot is saved by Silva. Great stuff.

84’ OVER THE BAR: Now Rojo comes close to finding the net for Argentina! A corner kick fell to the Man Utd defender inside the area, but he was leaning back and blasts his effort over the crossbar.

90’ GOAL! Argentina 2 Paraguay 2: Incredible! Paraguay have come from two down to draw level at 2-2! Barrios slams home a finish from a knock-down. Wooft!

92’ THAT WAS THE CHANCE! Di Maria teased a wonderful cross to the back post to find Tevez, who was completely unmarked. But the Juventus striker got his header all wrong and missed the target.

Argentina hadn’t lost a two-goal held at half-time since 2003, when they drew 2-2 with Chile in a World Cup qualifier.

Before tonight, Argentina had gone into half-time with a two-goal (or more) in the Copa America 36 times and won all 36 matches.

With Paraguay back in the game at 2-1 the Argentina coach made the decision to throw on both Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain in the search for the third goal that would kill off the contest. In hindsight Martino would have been better served going slightly more conservative and seeing out what they had. Argentina need to show better game-management as the tournament progresses.

While his team might have carelessly thrown away a two-goal lead, Messi was the stand-out performer on the pitch. The Barcelona man and Balon d’Or winner-in-waiting was astonishing in the first half, roaming all over the pitch in something of a free role under Martino. This could be the tournament that defines his international career.

Argentina - Romero 6, Roncaglia 6, Garay 5, Otamedeni 6, Rojo 6, Mascherano 6, Banega 5, Pastore 6, Messi 8, Di Maria 8, Aguero 6. Subs - Tevez 5, Higuain 5, Biglia.

Paraguay - Silva 7, Caceres 6, da Silva 6, Aguilar 5, Samudio 4, Ortigoza 6, Caceres 6, Ortiz 6, Bobadilla 7, Valdez 7, Santa Cruz 5. Subs - Barrios 7, Gonzalez 5, Benitez.