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    Lionel Messi of Argentina competes for the ball with Ángel Cardozo (L), Santiago Arzamendia and Richard Sanchez (R) of Paraguay
    Lionel Messi is still looking to win his first piece of silverware with the Argentina senior team, although he has won Olympic gold and the Under-20 World Cup

    Lionel Messi earned a record-equalling 147th cap for Argentina as they progressed to the Copa America quarter-finals with victory over Paraguay.

    Papu Gomez scored the decisive goal early on, meeting a pass from Angel Di Maria before producing a fine finish.

    Messi, 34, equalled Javier Mascherano's appearance record for the national team in the hard-fought win in Brasilia.

    Argentina top Group A ahead of Chile, who drew 1-1 with Uruguay to also advance to the knockout stage.

    The hastily-rearranged tournament in Brazil, which was moved from Argentina just two weeks before it was scheduled to start because of a a surge in Covid-19 cases in the country, is Messi's latest chance to win silverware with the senior team.

    The six-time Ballon d'Or winner was typically influential, playing a part in the build-up to the game's only goal, while later firing wide from a free-kick.

    With four matches left to play in Group A, Paraguay have three points, Uruguay one, and Bolivia none, meaning they all still stand a mathematical chance of advancing alongside Argentina and Chile.

    Brazil have already qualified from Group B.

    Line-ups

    Argentina

    Formation 4-2-3-1

    • 23Martínez
    • 26Molina
    • 13Romero
    • 6Pezzella
    • 3Tagliafico
    • 18Rodríguez
    • 5ParedesBooked at 34mins

      Substituted forDomínguezat 81'minutes

    • 11Di María

      Substituted forCorreaat 81'minutes

    • 10Messi
    • 24Gómez

      Substituted forde Paulat 72'minutes

    • 9Agüero

      Substituted forCorreaat 59'minutes

    Substitutes

    • 1Armani
    • 2Martínez Quarta
    • 4Montiel
    • 7de Paul
    • 8Acuña
    • 12Marchesín
    • 16Correa
    • 17Domínguez
    • 21Correa
    • 22Martínez
    • 25Martínez
    • 27Álvarez

    Paraguay

    Formation 4-2-3-1

    • 1Silva
    • 13Espínola
    • 15GómezBooked at 16mins
    • 6Alonso
    • 19Arzamendia
    • 14Cubas

      Substituted forCardozo Lucenaat 66'minutesBooked at 78mins

    • 26Piris da Motta

      Substituted forSánchezat 82'minutes

    • 11Romero

      Substituted forGonzálezat 87'minutes

    • 17Romero Gamarra

      Substituted forRomeroat 66'minutes

    • 10Almirón
    • 9Ávalos

      Substituted forSamudioat 87'minutes

    Substitutes

    • 2Rojas
    • 3Alderete
    • 4Balbuena
    • 5Giménez
    • 7González
    • 8Sánchez
    • 12Aguilar
    • 16Cardozo Lucena
    • 18Samudio
    • 21Romero
    • 22Ortíz
    • 24Martínez
    Referee:
    Jesús Valenzuela

    Match Stats

    Live Text

    1. Match ends, Argentina 1, Paraguay 0.

    2. Second Half ends, Argentina 1, Paraguay 0.

    3. Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Alberto Espínola.

    4. Attempt saved. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from long range on the right is saved in the bottom left corner.

    5. Foul by Júnior Alonso (Paraguay).

    6. Ángel Correa (Argentina) wins a free kick on the right wing.

    7. Foul by Óscar Romero (Paraguay).

    8. Rodrigo de Paul (Argentina) wins a free kick on the right wing.

    9. Attempt blocked. Miguel Almirón (Paraguay) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Braian Samudio.

    10. Miguel Almirón (Paraguay) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

    11. Foul by Rodrigo de Paul (Argentina).

    12. Carlos González (Paraguay) wins a free kick on the left wing.

    13. Foul by Rodrigo de Paul (Argentina).

    14. Substitution, Paraguay. Carlos González replaces Ángel Romero.

    15. Substitution, Paraguay. Braian Samudio replaces Gabriel Ávalos.

    16. Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Santiago Arzamendia.

    17. Attempt saved. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

    18. Substitution, Paraguay. Richard Sánchez replaces Robert Piris da Motta.

    19. Substitution, Argentina. Ángel Correa replaces Ángel Di María.

    20. Substitution, Argentina. Nicolás Domínguez replaces Leandro Paredes.

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