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 34minsSubstituted forDomínguezat 81′minutes
- 11Di MaríaSubstituted forCorreaat 81′minutes
- 10Messi
- 24GómezSubstituted forde Paulat 72′minutes
- 9AgüeroSubstituted 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
- 14CubasSubstituted forCardozo Lucenaat 66′minutesBooked at 78mins
- 26Piris da MottaSubstituted forSánchezat 82′minutes
- 11RomeroSubstituted forGonzálezat 87′minutes
- 17Romero GamarraSubstituted forRomeroat 66′minutes
- 10Almirón
- 9ÁvalosSubstituted forSamudioat 87′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Rojas
- 3Alderete
- 4Balbuena
- 5Giménez
- 7González
- 8Sánchez
- 12Aguilar
- 16Cardozo Lucena
- 18Samudio
- 21Romero
- 22Ortíz
- 24Martínez
- Referee:
- Jesús Valenzuela
Live Text
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Match ends, Argentina 1, Paraguay 0.
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Second Half ends, Argentina 1, Paraguay 0.
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Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Alberto Espínola.
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Attempt saved. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from long range on the right is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Foul by Júnior Alonso (Paraguay).
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Ángel Correa (Argentina) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Óscar Romero (Paraguay).
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Rodrigo de Paul (Argentina) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Attempt blocked. Miguel Almirón (Paraguay) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Braian Samudio.
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Miguel Almirón (Paraguay) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Rodrigo de Paul (Argentina).
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Carlos González (Paraguay) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Rodrigo de Paul (Argentina).
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Substitution, Paraguay. Carlos González replaces Ángel Romero.
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Substitution, Paraguay. Braian Samudio replaces Gabriel Ávalos.
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Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Santiago Arzamendia.
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Attempt saved. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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Substitution, Paraguay. Richard Sánchez replaces Robert Piris da Motta.
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Substitution, Argentina. Ángel Correa replaces Ángel Di María.
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Substitution, Argentina. Nicolás Domínguez replaces Leandro Paredes.
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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