Messi scores but Argentina opens Copa America with stunning draw

It didn’t take Lionel Messi long to get on the Copa América scoresheet. It didn’t take
much longer for Paraguay to throw Group B into a tizzy.
Tournament co-favorites Argentina watched a first-half lead evaporate as Lucas Barrios
scored a last-gasp equalizer to earn Paraguay a 2-2 draw on Saturday in La Serena, Chile.

The result suddenly leaves Argentina two points behind Uruguay in the group, which was
unexpected to say the least.

Boasting arguably the strongest and deepest attacks in the world, Argentina gave Paraguay
fits throughout the first half and built a 2-0 lead thanks to a pair of mistakes from
Paraguayan defender Miguel Samudio.

In the 29th minute, Samudio played this poor pass back to his keeper, which Sergio Agüero
intercepted and tucked away:

Paraguay kept attacking in the second half, however, and finally pulled one back in the
60th minute when Nelson Valdez submitted his early candidacy for goal of the tournament:

Argentina generated several more scoring chances, but Paraguay drew level in the 90th
minute. Paulo Da Silva played a nice header off a free kick back to Barrios, who froze
Argentine keeper Sergio Romero with a low, left-footed finish:

ECSTASY FOR @ALBIRROJA @LucasBarrios_ equalizes for Paraguay off a set piece!
#beINCopaAmerica #ARG 2-2 #PAR http://t.co/65DvGUUPHS
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 13, 2015
That Barrios scored such a crucial goal has to sting La Albiceleste. Current Argentina
manager Gerardo Martino convinced the Argentine-born Barrios to declare for Paraguay in the
run-up to the 2010 World Cup despite holding dual citizenship.

Martino also opted to go for an insurance goal with a 2-1 lead in the second half, rather
than fortifying his defense. The introduction of Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez proved
fruitless, and Paraguay pounced.

Saturday’s setback adds major weight to Argentina’s next game, a Tuesday meeting with
defending Copa América champions Uruguay. Star striker Luis Suarez is still serving an
international ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup last summer, but
Oscar Tabarez’s Uruguayan side is still a formidable mix of youth and talent.

Simply put, Messi and Argentina will have to be better than they were against Paraguay, or
one of soccer’s true heavyweights will be in serious trouble.