Argentina Falter but Sergio Aguero Shows Why He Must Lead Copa America Attack

Having looked far superior for most of their Copa America opener against Paraguay, Argentina somehow contrived to throw away a comfortable lead and draw 2-2 against the tenacious Guarani. But Sergio Aguero at least will have reason to be pleased with his contribution as he cemented his hold on the centre-forward position. 

The Manchester City man will be the first to admit that he has more to prove than most. The 2014 World Cup caught him out of shape and out of form, and he could barely show a few bright moments in an intensely disappointing campaign. Evidence from this Group B curtain-raiser suggests that 2015 will bring El Kun more luck. 

In a brilliant opening 45 minutes, where Paraguay were played off the park, Aguero formed a formidable trio with Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria. The three were ably assisted by the passing of Ever Banega and Javier Pastore further back, but their movement and constant switching of possession was a headache even for the ultra-defensive formation parked by coach Ramon Diaz in the first half. 

With plenty of activity around the goal but no killer blow, it was the striker who showed his poaching instinct to the maximum. Left-back Miguel Samudio was of course the culprit with Messi's criminally short back pass under pressure.

But the mark of a top forward is seeing those errors and taking full advantage. Aguero did exactly that; Samudio's pass fell straight into his path, and he went on to round Antony Silva with ease and finish to open the scoring. 

The best attacking balance across the 90 minutes came when he was leading the attack, with Di Maria probing wide and Messi drifting around the penalty area looking to cause havoc.

It was exactly this type of move, which, minutes later, saw the hapless Samudio give away a penalty, expertly converted by La Pulga. At that point few brave souls would have bet on anything but an Argentinian triumph, perhaps with two or three more goals following. 

There were more goals, but not in the manner we were expecting. Paraguay's Argentinian coach Ramon Diaz is no fool, making all the right changes to inject more urgency and dynamism into his team. Aguero and his cohorts suddenly found themselves in a real game, against opponents who, instead of waiting for the Argentines to come steaming into the box, began to disrupt the rhythm in midfield. 

The striker then found his game cut short at a most inopportune moment. Martino broke up the successful trio up front with a nonsensical double substitution, throwing the more static Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain into the mix when more athleticism and shape were needed.

At 2-1 it was a curious decision and proved to be suicidal, when Diaz's own supersub, Lucas Barrios, turned in minutes from time to snatch a point from dire circumstances. Sam Kelly discussed this critical decision:

The pair will not have done their chances much good with ineffective cameos. Aguero's stock, in contrast, is sky-high right now. His goal against Paraguay follows last week's stunning hat-trick to down Bolivia, and with Messi playing in a more withdrawn position, it is to the Manchester City man Argentina will turn for the cutting edge in front of the net. 

There now can be no discussion possible. The Albiceleste face a six-pointer on Tuesday against Uruguay, and Sergio Aguero must be the man trusted to smash home the goals, which will keep the Copa America quest on track.