And that’s why they play all 90 minutes.
Following a dominant 45 minutes to open their quest for 2015 Copa America glory, Argentina blew a 2-0 lead — first-half goals scored by Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi — and drew Paraguay, heavy underdogs coming into the two sides’ Group B opener, 2-2.
Aguero opened the scoring in the 29th minute, when he jumped all over a wayward Paraguayan back-pass, rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home from a tight angle to put La Albiceleste ahead.GOAL! @aguerosergiokun takes advantage of a bad backpass and makes it 1-0 for @argentina #beINCopaAmerica http://t.co/MENPs3A2WE
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 13, 2015
The Argentine lead was doubled just seven minutes later, when Angel di Maria was taken down just inside the edge of Paraguay’s penalty area. Up stepped Messi, who slotted the ensuing penalty kick just inside the post and just out of reach of Anyony Silva.
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The comeback began right on the hour mark, as Nelson Valdez unleashed a thunderbolt from more than 25 yards out. Valdez’s blast swerved and dipped much of way to goal, where it dipped under the crossbar at the last possible moment and found the back of the net. It stands as the goal of the tournament so far.GOLAZO! Nelson Valdez with the goal of the tournament! @Albirroja roars back 2-1 #beINCopaAmerica #ARG #PAR http://t.co/9RYwXfv9hn
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 13, 2015
Paraguay continued to press and create chances as the game reached the latter stages, and finally, in the 90th minute, they were rewarded for the endeavors. Nestor Ortigoza sent a long free kick into the Argentine penalty area, where Paulo da Silva head the ball back toward the top of the box for a late-arriving Lucas Barrios, who hammered a first-time effort low and inside the near post for the Paraguayan equalizer.
As things currently stand, Uruguay sit atop Group B thanks to their narrow victory over Jamaica earlier on Saturday, while Argentina and Paraguay sit behind them, level on a point a piece. Argentina face the Reggae Boyz on Tuesday, while Uruguay have a date with Paraguay.