The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsArgentina eased their way into the Copa America final after thrashing Paraguay 6-1 in the semi-final. They will now face the hosts Chile in the final in Santiago on 4 July.
Lionel Messi, unbelievably, didn’t manage to get on the score-sheet, but he had a hand in three of the goals, including the opener. It was Messi’s free-kick that set up Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo to open the scoring, and Argentina were two up soon after when Javier Pastore struck home a low shot after a cleverly worked jinking run from Messi.
Paraguay, who came from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Argentina in the group stages, then got themselves back in the contest when Lucas Barrios netted from 20 yards, but a brace from Angel Di Maria put the contest beyond the Paraguayan side. His first, tapping hope from Pastore’s pass, before converting a rebound to make it four.
Later, Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero headed home a fifth goal from a Di Maria cross, before Gonzalo Higuain, who has been linked with a move away from Napoli in recent weeks, smashed home a sixth.
Argentina have now reached three of the last four Copa America final, but lost their last two in 2007 and 2004 respectively, both at the hands of Brazil. The Argentines last win came 22 years ago when they beat Mexico 2-1 in the 1993 final.
As for Chile, this is their first final appearance since they lost in the 1987 final, and Argentina will be boosted by the fact they won the final the last time Chile hosted the tournament, in 1991.
