Argentina were shocked by a second half rally as Paraguay earned a draw in their Copa America opener in Chile.
Argentina have failed to win the Copa America since a victory over Mexico in Ecuador 14 years ago, but went into this tournament as favourites on the back of their run to the World Cup Final in Brazil last summer.
They appeared set to get their bid off to the perfect start when goals from Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi gave them a deserved cushion at the interval. Argentina had been utterly dominant in the opening half and could even have had more on the scoreboard.
Firstly, Manchester City striker Aguero took advantage of Miguel Samudio’s blind back-pass to sidestep Antony Silva and slot the opening goal.
Things got worse for Samudio when he hacked down Angel Di Maria, allowing Messi to double Argentina’s lead just before the break.
An unlikely comeback started when Nelson Valdez blasted Paraguay a lifeline with 30 minutes remaining.
Argentina were left stunned in the final minute when Argentina-born substitute Lucas Barrios got on the end of a free kick and fired the ball past Sergio Romero to give Paraguay a share of the spoils.
Uruguay defeated Jamaica 1-0 in the other Group B encounter, meaning Argentina now face a make-or-break clash against the group leaders on Wednesday.
Uruguay are without their talismanic striker Luis Suarez and are 5.50 to defeat Argentina. Tata Martino’s Argentina know that failure to win Group B would likely result in a second round meeting with Brazil and they are 1.67 to defeat Uruguay, with the draw at 3.80.
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