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Argentina defeated 2011 Copa America Champions Paraguay 6-1 in Concepcion to confirm their place in the final of the competition. Argentina dominated the game from start to finish; playing their best football so far in Chile.
Argentina took the lead in the 15th minute, Lionel Messi sent in a free kick from the last hand side, the ball bounced around and landed at feet of Marcos Rojo who found the bottom corner with a good finish.
Argentina came close to doubling the lead just minutes later, a quick break from Maritimo’s men, Messi feeding in Javier Pastore whose effort was denied by the foot of Villar at the front post. Pastore was not to be denied in the 26th minute, as he put Argentina 2-0 up. Messi once again finding Pastore, he took a touch and rifled home into the bottom corner; a superb finish from the PSG star to finish off a good move from Argentina.
Paraguay were forced into two early changes, both in attack as quarter final hero Derlis Gonzalez was injured in the 24th minute and Roque Santa Cruz also hobbled off with an injury in the 30th. Lucas Barrios replaced the injured Santa Cruz and made an impact shortly after, Paraguay capitalized on poor defending from Argentina, finding Barrios on the edge of the box and he smashed home past Sergio Romero. Paraguay getting back in the game right before half time with their first shot on target. Moment’s later Paraguay almost took the lead, Nelson Valdez was found in space at the back post but he failed to direct his volley on target, instead blasting the ball well over the bar. Argentina with the 2-1 at the break, a deserved lead after playing some good football but a quick laps in concentration allowed Paraguay back into the game on the verge of half time. It didn’t take long into the second half for Argentina to get their third of the game, Pastore threading a ball down the left hand side to Angel Di Maria who slotted home past Villar in the 46th minute, another well worked goal from La Albiceleste to go 3-1 up. Angel Di Maria grabbed his second goal of the game in the 52nd minute, Lionel Messi with a good run through the defence of Paraguay and sliding through Pastore, his effort was denied by Villar but the ball to Di Maria who made no mistake in finding the back of the empty net. A superb individual run Lionel Messi to cut open the defence and enable Di Maria to make the score 4-1.
Argentina got their fifth of the game in the 79th minute, this time Sergio Aguero with the goal. Di Maria send in a wonderful cross from the left hand side and Aguero found the top corner with a great header, it turned out to be Aguero’s last touch of the game as he was replaced by Gonzalo Higuain.
Higuain didn’t take long to make an impact, as in the 82nd minute he made it 6-1 to Argentina. Poor defending from Paraguay allowed Lionel Messi to slide the ball to Higuain and he span and slotted home his 25th international goal. Another assist for Messi who was outstanding despite not being able to get himself on the score sheet.
The game finishing 6-1 to Argentina, setting up and exciting match up with hosts Chile the 2015 Copa America final, while Paraguay will face Peru in a third place play-off. Argentina’s best display at the competition so far, Messi and co tearing through the Paraguayan defence with ease to cement their place in the final.
