Copa America 2011: Despite Messi Struggles, Argentina Will Advance in Cup

Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Lavezzi on one team is an offensive arsenal that most would say is as good as it gets in the game of football.

In this Copa America 2011, the struggles have been apparent for this Argentina team.

Argentina star Lionel Messi and his troops have played two average matches so far, and as a result have picked up just two points in their first two matches. They were held to a 1-1 draw against Bolivia and a 0-0 draw against Colombia.

Both are regarded as weaker teams than Argentina, who is also the host-nation at the Copa America 2011.

Normally with such a lineup, in this situation more than likely it would be a case of failing to capitalize on opportunities. In Game 1 against Bolivia, that was without question the case.

In the 1-1 draw against the Bolivians, Argentina had a whopping 17 shots, eight of which were on target. Argentina didn't have one goal kick in the entire match, and Bolivia had just four shots in the match and failed to threaten Argentina much. Yet when they did, they capitalized once: a goal which put them ahead 1-0 when everyone least expected it.

In the Colombia match, however, it was not a game of dominance. The ball movement up front from Argentina seemed stagnant and lacking the fluidity of what soccer fans understand this Argentina team is capable of. Colombia out-shot Argentina 11-9 and had eight offsides calls go against them in the match.

Yet to their credit, this A-team hasn't played together in quite some while, and still has managed to pick up a point in each of the first two matches. It should also be noted that both Bolivia and Colombia are anything but softer teams; they are simply just not as good a team talent wise.

Bolivia is a gutsy team, and did just what they had to do to disrupt Argentina's game. Colombia is a team that may have surprised many in a 0-0 draw, but are a capable team that could find themselves doing damage to teams in this Copa America 2011. Colombia has won two of their last three matches overall, and now have four points in the group stage of the Copa America tournament.

This Colombia team also features a lot of young star-power that has seemed to play well during the course of the first two matches.

Yet despite picking up just two points and failing to beat two opponents they should have beaten, Argentina is still a force to be reckoned with. They now find themselves in a comfortable position, only needing to beat Costa Rica in the team's final match.

Costa Rica has a U-23 team playing in the tournament and has picked up three points so far. Argentina is in a must-win situation, as a draw would leave them third in the group. That does not count them out of the playoffs, however, as two third-seeded teams will advance.

Although it should be noted, this young and inexperienced Costa Rica team did beat Bolivia 2-0 to pick up three points—something this Argentina team was unable to accomplish.

When it's all said and done, with Colombia beating Costa Rica 1-0, it would seem as if this Argentina team has what it takes to beat Costa Rica in the final group match, as Messi and company seem to be playing a sluggish brand of soccer that will eventually begin to change for the better.

Expect Argentina to slide into the playoff picture and slowly pick up play in the elimination round. Messi and the team are hoping it picks up sooner than later, but at the end of the day expect this team to get it done and get out of the group stage.