Argentina just can’t seem to get out of its own way in this year’s edition of the Copa America. The Albiceleste finished their Group B matchup with Paraguay on Wednesday night with a 1-1 draw that left them in last place in the group with only one match to play.
Argentina’s draw left them with only one point in Group B play with one game left to crawl out of the basement.
The game was another disappointment for Argentina, which has looked unconvincing in their first two competitive matches under new head coach Lionel Scaloni. Many feared the worst after Eduardo Berizzo’s Paraguay squad went up 1-0 in the 37th minute after a Ricard Sánchez goal.
Argentina was able to knot up the game at 1 after VAR ruled that Paraguay defender Ivan Piris’s arm made contact with a Messi volley inside of the box. This awarded Argentina with a penalty, which Messi cooly converted to knot up the score at 1.
The drama, however, wasn’t over. A penalty was whistled against Argentina after a reckless tackle by Nicolás Otamendi just four minutes later in the 61st minute, giving Paraguay a penalty and the chance to take the lead again.
Argentina keeper Franco Armani, however, stepped up to save Derlis González’s kick and keep the score at 1-1, which is how it stayed until the final whistle blew.
Now, Argentina absolutely must win in their Group B finale against Qatar if they are to have a chance to move onto the knockout round of the competition.
