The qualification for the quarters, the record for Lionel Messi … and that’s about it. Argentina really did the bare minimum Monday night against Paraguay (1-0). A strike from Sergio “Kun” Agüero in pivot above the bar (8th), then above all 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.
America Cup
Messi inspired, Argentina dominate Uruguay
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06/19/2021 At 6:34 AM
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Messi, who made his national team debut 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).
Chile at the rendezvous
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 N.10 from Albiceleste was very ordinary in the game, unlike Di Maria, the only attacking player to try to give some relief to the team.
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.
Earlier, Chile also qualified for the quarter-finals after drawing (1-1) against Uruguay in Group A. Eduardo Vargas opened the scoring for La Roja (27th) and Luis Suarez equalized for Celeste (67th). Chile now have five points, enough to secure their place in the quarterfinals. Uruguay, meanwhile, won their first point, ending a streak of four consecutive matches without scoring a goal. The selection of Chile had been talked about this weekend by acknowledging having broken the health bubble linked to the anti-Covid protocol, when players brought a hairdresser to their hotel.
America Cup
Argentina – Uruguay: the oldest tango
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06/17/2021 At 9:28 PM
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America Cup
Finally a title for Messi with Argentina?
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06/14/2021 At 6:15 AM
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