Copa America - Semi-Finals
ArgentinaArgentina6ParaguayParaguay1

Argentina 6-1 Paraguay

By Michael EmonsBBC Sport
  • Rojo, Di Maria (two) and Aguero among goalscorers
  • Argentina last in final in 2007
  • Argentina play hosts Chile in Copa America final
  • Final on Saturday, 4 July in Santiago (21:00 BST)

Argentina remain on course to win their first Copa America title since 1993 after thrashing Paraguay to set up a final against tournament hosts Chile.

Marcos Rojo put Argentina ahead from Lionel Messi's free-kick and Javier Pastore made it 2-0 with a low shot.

Lucas Barrios pulled one back from 20 yards, but Angel Di Maria then netted twice, slotting in from Pastore's pass and then converting a rebound.

Sergio Aguero headed in a fifth and Gonzalo Higuain blasted in a sixth.

It was an impressive victory from Gerardo Martino's side as La Albiceleste moved into the Copa America final for the third time in four competitions and will play Chile in Santiago on 4 July.

Although he did not score, it was another influential performance from skipper Messi, who had a hand in three of the six goals.

His free-kick led to Rojo opening the scoring in the 15th minute and then the four-time World Player of the Year created the second with a jinking run before setting up the impressive Pastore.

Argentina's route to the Copa America final
Group match - 13 June: 2-2 v Paraguay
Group match - 17 June: 1-0 v Uruguay
Group match - 20 June: 1-0 v Jamaica
Quarter-final - 27 June: 0-0 (5-4 on pens) v Colombia
Semi-final - 1 July: 6-1 v Paraguay

Paraguay, 85th in the world rankings, had recovered from a two-goal deficit in their group game against Argentina, which ended 2-2.

Barrios, who scored a last-minute equaliser in that match, netted again, just before half-time with a fine effort from 20 yards out.

But there was to be no fightback this time. Early in the second half, Pastore released Di Maria who slid the ball underneath goalkeeper Justo Villar.

Argentina made it four as Messi led a counter attack and set up Pastore, whose shot fell to Di Maria to finish into an open goal.

Di Maria's cross was then headed in by Manchester City striker Aguero before substitute Higuain scored a stunning sixth to complete the rout.

Angel Di Maria
Manchester United's Angel Di Maria scored two of Argentina's six goals
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is the first player to create three assists in the same game in the 2015 Copa America

Line-ups

Argentina

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Romero
  • 4Zabaleta
  • 15Demichelis
  • 17Otamendi
  • 16RojoBooked at 12mins
  • 6BigliaBooked at 13mins
  • 14MascheranoSubstituted forGagoat 77'minutes
  • 21PastoreSubstituted forBanegaat 73'minutes
  • 10Messi
  • 11AgüeroSubstituted forHiguaínat 81'minutes
  • 7Di María

Substitutes

  • 3Roncaglia
  • 5Gago
  • 8Pereyra
  • 9Higuaín
  • 12Guzmán
  • 13Casco
  • 18Tévez
  • 19Banega
  • 20Lamela
  • 22Lavezzi
  • 23Marchesín

Paraguay

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1Villar
  • 5Valdez
  • 14Da SilvaBooked at 30mins
  • 4Aguilar
  • 2Piris
  • 10GonzálezSubstituted forBobadillaat 26'minutes
  • 15CáceresBooked at 13mins
  • 13OrtízBooked at 59mins
  • 11Benítez
  • 18ValdezSubstituted forRomeroat 56'minutes
  • 9Santa CruzSubstituted forBarrios Caceresat 30'minutes

Substitutes

  • 3Cáceres
  • 6Samudio
  • 7Bobadilla
  • 8Barrios Caceres
  • 12Silva
  • 16Molinas
  • 17Martínez
  • 19Balbuena
  • 20Ortigoza
  • 21Romero
  • 22Aranda
  • 23Aguilar
Referee:
Sandro Meira Ricci
Attendance:
29,205

Match Stats

Home TeamArgentinaAway TeamParaguay
Possession
Home59%
Away41%
Shots
Home15
Away14
Shots on Target
Home10
Away3
Corners
Home3
Away3
Fouls
Home12
Away19

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Argentina 6, Paraguay 1.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Argentina 6, Paraguay 1.

  3. Post update

    Attempt saved. Óscar Romero (Paraguay) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina).

  5. Post update

    Pablo Aguilar (Paraguay) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  6. Post update

    Corner, Paraguay. Conceded by Lucas Biglia.

  7. Post update

    Foul by Éver Banega (Argentina).

  8. Post update

    Victor Cáceres (Paraguay) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  9. Post update

    Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  10. Post update

    Foul by Raúl Bobadilla (Paraguay).

  11. Post update

    Attempt missed. Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Éver Banega with a cross following a corner.

  12. Post update

    Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Paulo Da Silva.

  13. Post update

    Foul by Fernando Gago (Argentina).

  14. Post update

    Óscar Romero (Paraguay) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  15. Goal!

    Goal! Argentina 6, Paraguay 1. Gonzalo Higuaín (Argentina) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Lionel Messi with a through ball.

  16. Post update

    Pablo Zabaleta (Argentina) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Óscar Romero (Paraguay).

  18. Substitution

    Substitution, Argentina. Gonzalo Higuaín replaces Sergio Agüero.

  19. Goal!

    Goal! Argentina 5, Paraguay 1. Sergio Agüero (Argentina) header from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Ángel Di María with a cross.

  20. Post update

    Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.