Argentina kick off their drive towards a 15th Copa America title on Saturday when they meet Paraguay at the Estadio La Portada. Whoever wins this group will be most likely to avoid Brazil in the quarter-finals, so every point can prove crucial. The two sides have met on 103 occasions, Paraguay have won just 15 times while Argentina had 58 wins. The last three meetings were won by Argentina.
Argentina have not won the tournament since 1993. They have reached two finals since then, but lost both to rivals Brazil. Lionel Messi has played in the last of those finals and he will probably be determined to win the trophy as he hasn't won any silverware with his country yet. Coach Gerardo Martino has a world-class bunch of players under his command, star footballers like Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel di Maria and Sergio Aguero, so expectations are very high.
Paraguay enjoyed their best days under current Argentina coach Gerardo Martino, he led them to the World Cup quarter-finals in 2010. Martino also led them to second place in the 2011 Copa America but after he left they failed to qualify for the World Cup. Their star player is Roque Santa Cruz, who played for Blackburn and Manchester City, but now he plays for Mexican side Cruz Azul at the age of 33.
Probable line-ups:
Argentina: Romero - Roncaglia, Garay, Otamendi, Rojo - Mascherano, Banega, Pastore - Di Maria, Aguero, Messi
Paraguay: Villar - M Caceres, Da Silva, Balbuena, Samudio - Valdez, Ortiz, V Caceres, Benitez, Ortigoza - Santa Cruz
My prediction: Argentina to win 3-0.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Argentina win - 1.30 Draw - 5.50 Paraguay win - 10.00
galata86 8 years ago
That was a great match. I did not expect to end up a draw. Paraguay played great in the second half. As in previous competitions, Argentina has a great attack, but they have problems in defense. I think they do not have a good balance between defense and attack.
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Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
I agree with sharpe,Paraguay really played very well in second half.They have very good attackers.Valdez and Barrios are very good and they are very experienced players. It does not change the fact that Gauchos should be winning matches like this,but in footbal everything is possible today.
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sharpe 8 years ago
Great second half by Paraguay when they were very aggressive and managed to turn things around. From the pre mach expectations point of view it was a surprise but I can't say that it was so big surprise for me. The first games on the big tournaments are always unknown and potentially the surprising result may came out....
Great second half by Paraguay when they were very aggressive and managed to turn things around. From the pre mach expectations point of view it was a surprise but I can't say that it was so big surprise for me. The first games on the big tournaments are always unknown and potentially the surprising result may came out. Still it's a long tournament but some unexpected results all ready.
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Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
This was very interesting match,Argentina had 2 goals lead,but managed to ruin that advantage..I really did not expected from Messi and company to not win this match.Paraguay.Paraguay is good team,but Argentina definitely should have won this match.Gauchos must play much better if they want to win the tournament.
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rikimartin4444_115925 8 years ago
This is a big surprise for me. I watched the game and after first half it was clear situation. Argetina lead 2-0, played well and I think that they will score few more goals. But, in second half there was only one team, Paraguay. With high pressure they success to score two goals. Argentina need to play way better if they...
This is a big surprise for me. I watched the game and after first half it was clear situation. Argetina lead 2-0, played well and I think that they will score few more goals. But, in second half there was only one team, Paraguay. With high pressure they success to score two goals. Argentina need to play way better if they want to win this trophy.
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Johnajax 8 years ago
What a great match! I just watched this game and I am thrilled with football which played both teams. Argentina has everything at the half, 2-0 lead, they played well and nobody can imagine what will bring second half. Paraguay scored one goal early in second half and than we all was thinking that Argentina will bring game...
What a great match! I just watched this game and I am thrilled with football which played both teams. Argentina has everything at the half, 2-0 lead, they played well and nobody can imagine what will bring second half. Paraguay scored one goal early in second half and than we all was thinking that Argentina will bring game to the end and win this game but Barrios scored goal in last minute and match ended 2-2. This is great result also for Uruguay who is on first place now after that win against Jamaica.
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seculla 8 years ago
It was a great match but I've never expected that Jamaica's team will make this Uruguay win that much hard to get. I really expected very easier win and definitely much more goals on this match. Anyway, Uruguay started Copa America with a win and this win is even more important because Argentina got only point against Paraguay.
It was a great match but I've never expected that Jamaica's team will make this Uruguay win that much hard to get. I really expected very easier win and definitely much more goals on this match. Anyway, Uruguay started Copa America with a win and this win is even more important because Argentina got only point against Paraguay.
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advoghado 8 years ago
Argentina has a very strong team at the moment, with many fantastic players, and a powerful attack, in my opinion is one of the favorite teams to win this America's Cup, I really like the combination in attack Tevez and Messi do not know if Tata Martino will put the pair today to play from the start, I would like so. Paraguay...
Argentina has a very strong team at the moment, with many fantastic players, and a powerful attack, in my opinion is one of the favorite teams to win this America's Cup, I really like the combination in attack Tevez and Messi do not know if Tata Martino will put the pair today to play from the start, I would like so. Paraguay has been better, that strong selection is no more, and I think that is behind teams like Chile and Ecuador, will be a great battle today!
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rikimartin4444_115925 8 years ago
This will be great game. Argentina is big favorite and they will play offensively from the start of the game. They are in great shape, with all their best players. Their attack is the best in the world and I think that they will score at least three times. They haven't won Copa America for last 22 years and I think this...
This will be great game. Argentina is big favorite and they will play offensively from the start of the game. They are in great shape, with all their best players. Their attack is the best in the world and I think that they will score at least three times. They haven't won Copa America for last 22 years and I think this is great chance for them. My prediction 3-1 win for Argentina.
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sharpe 8 years ago
Will be interesting to see how one of the favourites in the tournament will going to start. Everybody expect a win for Argentina and Johnny even predicted a 3-0 exact score : ) I expecting the favourite to win the game but I don't know if that will be so easy for them. The chances of Paraguay will be on counters but before...
Will be interesting to see how one of the favourites in the tournament will going to start. Everybody expect a win for Argentina and Johnny even predicted a 3-0 exact score : ) I expecting the favourite to win the game but I don't know if that will be so easy for them. The chances of Paraguay will be on counters but before that they really have to play tough in defense.
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Shumar4life 8 years ago
Argentina is huge favorite for winning this tournament, but Paraguay has also good team, and they plays tough defense in order to stop opponents attackers. Messi and Tevez will have tough task to break opponents defense line. Also Paraguay has Larissa and because of her I will be with this team
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Johnajax 8 years ago
Argentina is country with the best attackers on the world. They have a lot of great strikers and they shouldn't have any problem with scoring goals. Messi, Higuain, Aguero, Di Maria are just few of many great strikers and when you have these players you must be favorite, not just in this match but on whole tournament. Here...
Argentina is country with the best attackers on the world. They have a lot of great strikers and they shouldn't have any problem with scoring goals. Messi, Higuain, Aguero, Di Maria are just few of many great strikers and when you have these players you must be favorite, not just in this match but on whole tournament. Here I expect easy win for Argentina and my prediction is 3-0.
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seculla 8 years ago
When it comes to Copa America there are no "big" favorites. Many times "weaker" opponents beat their stronger opponents. But I'm not sure that that will be case in this game. Argentina is the biggest favorite, among with Brazil, to win this tournament and I'm pretty sure that they will start it with a win.
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