Argentina held by Paraguay in opener

15 June,2015 08:26 AM IST |   |  PA Sport

Paraguay came from two goals down to claim a a share of the spoils from a late 2-2 draw in their Copa America's Group B opener against Argentina in La Serena on Saturday

Angel Di Maria (extreme left), Nicolas Otamendi, Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi (extreme right) walk off after Argentina's draw


La Serena: Paraguay came from two goals down to claim a a share of the spoils from a late 2-2 draw in their Copa America's Group B opener against Argentina in La Serena on Saturday.


Angel Di Maria (extreme left), Nicolas Otamendi, Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi (extreme right) walk off after Argentina's draw. Pic/AFP

Argentina went 2-0 up thanks to first-half goals from Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi but their opponents struck back through Nelson Haedo Valdez and Luca Barrios for a point at Estadio La Portada.

The result leaves Argentina second in the group standings, with Paraguay below them level with one point. Uruguay are on top of Group B.
Argentina started brightest and controlled the pace of the match in the opening exchanges.

They took the lead on the half-hour mark as Manchester City striker Aguero broke the deadlock as he intercepted a soft pass back from Paraguay's Miguel Samudio to his goalkeeper Antony Silva and netted his side's opening goal.

Five minutes late, Miguel Samudio brought down Angel Di Maria in the box and Messi doubled Argentina's advantage from the penalty spot to hand them a 2-0 lead at the
break.

Paraguay forward Valdez finished off a great shot with the Albirroja's first goal of the match from outside the box to reduce the deficit near the hour mark, while Luca Barrios equalised with a strong volley at the death.

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