An Argentina side that included Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero was stunned in their opening match of the 2019 Copa America as they were beaten 2-0 by Colombia in Group B.
La Albiceleste are bidding to make it through to the final for the third successive edition of the tournament, but goals in the final 20 minutes from Roger Martinez and Duvan Zapata handed Colombia their first win over their South American rivals in 12 years.
Argentina had dominated much of the match at Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, but they could not find a way past Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina.
Messi, who is still chasing his first senior international honour with Argentina, admitted to ‘feeling bitter’ after the defeat, but he believes his side, who are priced at 6.00 to win the Copa America for the first time since 1993, still have time to rectify their position.
“We didn’t want to start this way,” the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said. “But now we have to lift our heads and keep going.”
The days other match at the Copa America was from Group A, although it won’t live long in the memory as Venezuela and Peru played out a goalless draw, although the former will be the happier of the two teams as they played the final 15 minutes with 10-men following the sending off of Luis Del Pino.
Sunday will see the second match in Group B take place, with Paraguay and Qatar meeting in Rio de Janeiro, while Uruguay and Ecuador will get Group C underway in Belo Horizonte.
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