Match ends, Argentina 6, Paraguay 1.
- 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.
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
- Possession
- Home59%
- Away41%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away14
- Shots on Target
- Home10
- Away3
- Corners
- Home3
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away19
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Argentina 6, Paraguay 1.
Post update
Attempt saved. Óscar Romero (Paraguay) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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Foul by Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina).
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Pablo Aguilar (Paraguay) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Corner, Paraguay. Conceded by Lucas Biglia.
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Foul by Éver Banega (Argentina).
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Victor Cáceres (Paraguay) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Raúl Bobadilla (Paraguay).
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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.
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Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Paulo Da Silva.
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Foul by Fernando Gago (Argentina).
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Óscar Romero (Paraguay) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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.
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Pablo Zabaleta (Argentina) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Óscar Romero (Paraguay).
Substitution
Substitution, Argentina. Gonzalo Higuaín replaces Sergio Agüero.
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.
Post update
Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.