Things did not open as planned for top tournament favorite and Lionel Messi-led Argentina as it succumbs to a 2-2 draw with Paraguay during the 2015 Copa America in a match held at the Estadio La Portada in La Serena, Chile on Saturday.
Gerardo Martino's men jumped into the Paraguayan squad strong and fast in the opening minutes, dictating the tempo of the match from the outset. Argentina pressured the ball and kept it at La Albirroja's side, but their defenders were able to ward off numerous threats, as per Bleacher Report.
Despite the firm stand of Ramón Díaz's group on defense, La Albiceleste took an early lead with goals from forwards Sergio Agüero and Lionel Messi during the first half of play.
FC Barcelona's Messi, arguably the best football player in the world today, controlled the game for the Argentinians for the rest of the half and appeared to be cruising to a victory in their opener.
But Paraguay kept its composure in the second half and turned the table around for the favorites.
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Nelson Haedo Valdez whipped a long-range shot to put Los Guaraníes on the board around the one hour mark. Then in the closing minutes of the game, substitute striker Lucas Barrios found the net again, flicking the ball in the middle of Argentinian defenders inside the 18-yard box, tying the score at 2-2.
Team captain Messi was disappointed after the match as he told reporters that it was "maddening" that his team was not able to score "maximum points," according to ESPN. He admitted that they should have put more pressure on the ball in the second half instead of just trying to preserve the lead.