Argentina qualified for the quarter-finals of the Copa America after their victory over Paraguay (1-0) on Monday. Lionel Messi tied the record for most caps and Angel Di Maria was voted man of the match.
Argentina, winner of Paraguay (1-0), qualified Monday night for the quarter-finals of the Copa America, very slowly, including for Lionel Messi, the day he equaled the national record of selections.
A strike from Sergio “Kun” Agüero in pivot above the bar (8th), then especially a goal from Alejandro “Papu” Gomez, with a small dive after a nice assist from Angel Di Maria (10th), started the match … immediately closed, since almost nothing happened afterwards, even if Paraguay dominated the proceedings.
This short victory is in any case sufficient to guarantee Argentina (7 points in Group A) a place in the quarters, like Chile shortly before (1-1 against Uruguay). Not really a feat, since four out of five teams from each pool switch to this first round with direct elimination.
Messi, who debuted for the national team on August 16, 2005, honored his 147th appearance in the blue and white jersey on Monday, tying the national record of Javier Mascherano, the “Jefecito” retired since last year and who was his teammate in Barcelona (2010-2018). The six-time Ballon d’Or already holds the record for selection goals (73).
But this new historic mark for the Argentine captain contrasted in a surprising way with the transparency of his performance on the Brasilia pitch. In the Nacional Mané Garrincha stadium in the Brazilian capital, the number 10 of the Albiceleste was very ordinary in the game, unlike Di Maria, the only attacking player to try to give some relief to the team. The PSG midfielder was also the man of the match.
Messi may have been in a form of physical management, he who turns 34 on Thursday and still dreams of winning his first major title with the selection, after losing four finals, in the 2007, 2015 and 2016 editions of the Copa America, and at the Mondial-2014. And it’s been 28 years since the Albiceleste has been weaned from titles.
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