ARGENTINA YAIPIGA BAO 6-1 PARAGUAY NA KUTINGA FAINALI COPA AMERICA...Picha ziko hapa
Perhaps all Louis van Gaal has to do to get the best out of Angel di Maria is sign Lionel Messi.
The
Argentina forward, much maligned during his debut season at Manchester
United, has formed an almost telepathic relationship with the Barcelona
maestro during this Copa America.
And if Messi proves to be out of reach, Van Gaal could consider Javier Pastore instead.
Argentina defender Marcos Rojo (second from right) opens the scoring during his side's Copa America semi-final against Paraguay
Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar
sticks out his right leg but can't stop Rojo's effort from nestling in
the bottom corner in the 15th minute
Manchester United star Rojo screams with delight after giving his country an early lead in Concepcion, Chile
Rojo is congratulated by his team-mates Javier Pastore, Sergio Aguero, Martin Demichelis and Nicolas Otamendi (left to right)
Paraguay defender Bruno Valdez grabs Lionel Messi's arm as Argentina's talisman attacks early in the opening period
The
three amigos each produced dazzling displays as Argentina ran riot
against Paraguay but together, they might prove to be unstoppable.
Seventeen
days ago Tata Martino's side were stunned by a second-half comeback as
Paraguay earned a valuable point in the group stage.
And when Lucas Barrios pulled a goal back here in Concepcion, there was a clear sense of deja vu.
But this time Argentina led their South American neighbours a merry dance in the second half.
Di
Maria scored two within eight minutes of the restart to add to earlier
goals from Pastore and Marcos Rojo. He then added a fourth before Sergio
Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain completd the rout as Argentina produced
their best football of the competition to ease into Saturday's final
against hosts Chile.
And
on this form, few would bet against Messi captaining his country to
victory and finally adding international honours to the plethora of
titles he has won with Barcelona.
A layer of smog produced by families burning wood to heat their homes hung suspended above the stadium as the players emerged.
Ezequiel
Garay missed out for Argentina with a stomach bug so Martin Demichelis
made his second start of the tournament, partnering Nicolas Otamendi in
the centre of defence.
Paraguay
boss Ramon Diaz's sole alteration to the side that beat Brazil on
penalties was to replace Eduardo Aranda with Richard Ortiz.
The
Argentinian national anthem was roundly booed by the large contingent
of Chile fans who made known their preferred opponents for the final.
And
they should have had reason to celebrate inside seven minutes when
Roque Santa Cruz found space on the edge of the area but his feeble
effort failed to trouble Sergio Romero.
At
the other end, Pastore sent a half-volley straight at Justo Villar as
Argentina looked to maintain their record of never having lost to
Paraguay in this competition in 23 meetings.
Javier Pastore unleashes a fierce, low drive to put Argentina 2-0 up against Paraguay inside the opening 30 minutes
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Pastore watches his powerful shot arrow towards the bottom corner on Tuesday evening
Pastore wheels away to celebrate his
goal after helping Argentina take another step towards a Copa America
final against hosts Chile
Former Palermo favourite Pastore is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring as fellow goalscorer Rojo gets in on the act
Messi,
Aguero and Javier Mascherano were all one booking away from missing the
final and Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci was quick to issue cards to
Rojo, Lucas Biglia and Paraguay's Victor Caceres in a 60-second spell.
But
it was Rojo who showed his predatory instincts with 15 minutes gone,
latching on to Messi's free-kick and steering the ball into the bottom
corner.
Messi
waved his wand of a left foot again minutes later, finding Pastore but
he took too long in lining up a shot, allowing Caceres to block.
And
Paraguay were dealt another blow midway through the half when their
quarter-final hero Derlis Gonzalez was forced off with a hamstring
strain.
Barcelona superstar Messi pulls off a spectacular flying kick during yet another brilliant display of attacking football
Angel di Maria produces a neat finish with his left foot to restore Argentina's two-goal advantage and make it 3-1
Paraguay goalkeeper Villar dives to his left but can't keep out Di Maria's precise shot just two minutes into the second half
Manchester United man Di Maria pulls off his trademark celebration after netting his first goal of the night against Paraguay
Ex-Real Madrid star Di Maria watches
his second shot hit the back of Villar's net just seconds after an
eye-catching run from Lionel Messi
Di Maria runs to the Argentina bench to celebrate his second goal with substitute and former Real Madrid team-mate Fernando Gago
And
their misery was compounded when Pastore doubled Argentina's lead.
Sweeping up the field in breathtaking fashion, Messi fed the Paris
Saint-Germain forward and he beat Villar from 18 yards.
But, from nowhere, Paraguay pulled one back.
Bruno
Valdez beat Pastore to a loose ball out from defence and cushioned a
header to Lucas Barrios. The veteran striker, on the field for 13
minutes after replacing the injured Santa Cruz, took his time before
driving the pall past Romero's outstretched hands.
It was the first goal Martino's side had conceded since the draw with Paraguay and it offered hope to last year's finalists.
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero
powers a thumping header into the top corner to give Argentina a 5-1
lead in the 80th minute
Paraguay stopper Villar can only watch as Aguero's header becomes the fifth effort to beat him in Concepcion on Tuesday night
Messi is pursued by Paraguay pair Victor Caceres and Richard Ortiz (left to right) during the second half in Concepcion
Substitute Gonzalo Higuain puts the icing on the cake in the 83rd minute with Argentina's sixth - and final - goal of the night
Napoli forward Higuain grins as he is congratulated by his team-mates after scoring just two minutes after coming off the bench
But
Argentina were in no mood to let their lead slip again and restored
their two-goal lead in stunning fashion shortly after the interval.
Biglia
fed Messi who in turn found Pastore and he enhanced his growing
reputation by delivering the ball into the path of Di Maria who made no
mistake from inside the box.
And the United man put the result beyond doubt with his second six minutes later.
In
truth he simply applied the finishing touch to a mazy run from Messi
that took several Paraguay players out of the game. The pint-sized
magician again linked up with Pastore and when his shot was blocked, Di
Maria was on hand to tap in.
Substitute Lucas Barrios smashes the ball home from the edge of the area to give Paraguay hope just before the break
Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero lays on the turf and watches the ball nestle into the back of his net after Barrios' strike
Barrios, who scored his country's equaliser against Argentina in the group stage, raises his arm in celebration after scoring
The only thing missing from Argentina's performance was a goal from their captain.
And
when Messi set off on another mesmerising run and played a one-two with
Pastore, he looked to have it only for Villar to pull off a fine save.
But
Argentina were not finished there and Di Maria's cross was nodded home
by Aguero before his replacement Higuain rifled home a sixth from
Messi's third assit of the night, Still the Chile fans cried 'Ole' when
Paraguay had the ball but there was a nervousness to their cheers.
They, along with the rest of the stadium, knew they had witnessed something special.
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