In a fractious, often ill-tempered display, Argentina recorded their first victory in the 2015 Copa America against fellow South American heavyweight Uruguay. However the nature of Argentina’s victory, coming after a shock 2-2 draw against Paraguay, remained unconvincing.
Sergio Aguero scored the only goal in the match – a 56th minute diving header in a game which was marked more by resolute defending than attacking prowess. Lionel Messi made a couple of smart moves and played a part in Aguero’s goal but was a little below the high standards he sets for himself. Gerardo Martino, the Argentine coach, will take solace from the fact that after a nervous performance against Paraguay, his defence remained impenetrable and did not concede, despite Uruguay pushing frantically towards the end.
On the evidence of the last two games, it seems most teams have one definitive strategy against Argentina: stay back, play on the counter and hope to catch the Argentine defence off-guard. Uruguay have a reputation of being a stolid, if not spectacular team and for large parts of the game, they executed the strategy to perfection, frustrating Argentina.
Uruguay hold firm
Aguero, Di Maria, Messi, Zabaleta – all eyes were on Argentina’s galaxy of stars when it kicked off, but it was Paris Saint Germain midfielder Javier Pastore who provided the early impetus for Argentina, seemingly involved in every attack, only to be foiled by an impassive Uruguay defence. Messi burst into life in the 18th minute when he tried to swing in a low ball from the right. Two minutes later, he fired in a free kick, only to see it denied by the Uruguayan goalkeeper, Fernando Muslera, who coincidentally was born in Argentina.
The first notable flashpoint arrived in the 32nd minute when Uruguayan midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro was awarded a yellow card for a challenge. Martino, not quite happy at that level of punishment, sought to remonstrate with the referee. Unfortunately for him, the referee did not look too kindly on his interference, banishing him from the touchlines.
Argentina kept on pressing but just couldn’t break through. Messi, Aguero and Pastore combined on more than one occasion but the Uruguayan defence held firm. When halftime arrived, Uruguay went into the change rooms, probably the happier side.
Uruguay looked like they had got their first real chance in the game in the 54th minute when Lodeiro chipped a long ball over midfield for Edinson Cavani to latch onto. However, Serigo Romero, who had had a relatively quiet match till then, showed great presence of mind to race off his lines and clear the danger before Cavani could reach the ball.
Aguero connects to Zabaleta’s cross
Aguero finally broke through in the 56th minute, with a help from Messi and Zabaleta. With his now-famous change of pace, Messi thundered in on the right flank, laid off an incisive pass to Zabaleta who delivered a picture-perfect cross towards the near post. Amidst a sea of Uruguayan limbs, Aguero timed his diving header to perfection, slotting it neatly into the goal, before taking off in a celebration which seemed more out of relief than exhilaration. That being said, Aguero richly deserved that goal for his unrelenting forays into Uruguayan territory.
The game became decidedly physical after that goal. In the 71st minute, Fernando Muslera caught an incoming Argentine free-kick only to have Marcos Rojo barge into him. Temperatures become inflamed and plenty of shoving occurred, before the referee intervened. Later in the 73rd, Messi lost his cool after being brought down by Alvaro Pereira, squaring up to the Uruguayan defender.
Uruguay though missed their best chance to equalize in the 75th minute – Romero parried a shot straight to Diego Rolan, who was just in front of goal. Unfortunately, his shot went way over the crossbar. Uruguay had two great chances in the last ten minutes but were foiled by two great saves by the Argentine keeper. It finally ended 1-0 to Argentina.
Group B is very interestingly posed now with one round of matches still remaining. Argentina, with four points and with a game against Jamaica left, have one leg in the quarters. Paraguay, who also have four points, will fancy their chances against this Uruguay team.
Sergio Aguero scored the only goal in the match – a 56th minute diving header in a game which was marked more by resolute defending than attacking prowess. Lionel Messi made a couple of smart moves and played a part in Aguero’s goal but was a little below the high standards he sets for himself. Gerardo Martino, the Argentine coach, will take solace from the fact that after a nervous performance against Paraguay, his defence remained impenetrable and did not concede, despite Uruguay pushing frantically towards the end.
On the evidence of the last two games, it seems most teams have one definitive strategy against Argentina: stay back, play on the counter and hope to catch the Argentine defence off-guard. Uruguay have a reputation of being a stolid, if not spectacular team and for large parts of the game, they executed the strategy to perfection, frustrating Argentina.
Uruguay hold firm
Aguero, Di Maria, Messi, Zabaleta – all eyes were on Argentina’s galaxy of stars when it kicked off, but it was Paris Saint Germain midfielder Javier Pastore who provided the early impetus for Argentina, seemingly involved in every attack, only to be foiled by an impassive Uruguay defence. Messi burst into life in the 18th minute when he tried to swing in a low ball from the right. Two minutes later, he fired in a free kick, only to see it denied by the Uruguayan goalkeeper, Fernando Muslera, who coincidentally was born in Argentina.
The first notable flashpoint arrived in the 32nd minute when Uruguayan midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro was awarded a yellow card for a challenge. Martino, not quite happy at that level of punishment, sought to remonstrate with the referee. Unfortunately for him, the referee did not look too kindly on his interference, banishing him from the touchlines.
Argentina kept on pressing but just couldn’t break through. Messi, Aguero and Pastore combined on more than one occasion but the Uruguayan defence held firm. When halftime arrived, Uruguay went into the change rooms, probably the happier side.
Uruguay looked like they had got their first real chance in the game in the 54th minute when Lodeiro chipped a long ball over midfield for Edinson Cavani to latch onto. However, Serigo Romero, who had had a relatively quiet match till then, showed great presence of mind to race off his lines and clear the danger before Cavani could reach the ball.
Aguero connects to Zabaleta’s cross
Aguero finally broke through in the 56th minute, with a help from Messi and Zabaleta. With his now-famous change of pace, Messi thundered in on the right flank, laid off an incisive pass to Zabaleta who delivered a picture-perfect cross towards the near post. Amidst a sea of Uruguayan limbs, Aguero timed his diving header to perfection, slotting it neatly into the goal, before taking off in a celebration which seemed more out of relief than exhilaration. That being said, Aguero richly deserved that goal for his unrelenting forays into Uruguayan territory.
The game became decidedly physical after that goal. In the 71st minute, Fernando Muslera caught an incoming Argentine free-kick only to have Marcos Rojo barge into him. Temperatures become inflamed and plenty of shoving occurred, before the referee intervened. Later in the 73rd, Messi lost his cool after being brought down by Alvaro Pereira, squaring up to the Uruguayan defender.
Uruguay though missed their best chance to equalize in the 75th minute – Romero parried a shot straight to Diego Rolan, who was just in front of goal. Unfortunately, his shot went way over the crossbar. Uruguay had two great chances in the last ten minutes but were foiled by two great saves by the Argentine keeper. It finally ended 1-0 to Argentina.
Group B is very interestingly posed now with one round of matches still remaining. Argentina, with four points and with a game against Jamaica left, have one leg in the quarters. Paraguay, who also have four points, will fancy their chances against this Uruguay team.
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