Grading the Argentina Squad After the Copa America Group Stage

Argentina negotiated their way through Group B of the 2015 Copa America with few problems. The star-studded squad has been far from its best, but their unbeaten record means a first-place finish and the chance to look forward to a quarter-final.

Have the Albiceleste's astros been on top of their game, however? Who has been an asset in this opening trio of matches, and who needs to step up their performance in order to find a place in the team for the knockout stages?

Taking into account those footballers who have seen regular playing time in Chile so far, here is the report card for the 2014 World Cup finalists ahead of the next phase of the Copa.

Goalkeepers

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Sergio Romero: B

With Argentina dominating their three matches so far in the Copa, goalkeeper Sergio Romero has hardly been rushed off his feet fending off opposition forwards. But the Sampdoria man has still had to appear in vital moments thanks to the Albiceleste's inability to close out matches.

Against Paraguay, Chiquito could do little to keep out Nelson Haedo and Lucas Barrios' late efforts, although his positioning was a little off on the equaliser. Diego Rolon missed an unbelievable chance for Uruguay, the product of a poor save by the 'keeper, which ensured a clean sheet and Argentina win.

Defence

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Facundo Roncaglia: C- 

Facundo Roncaglia failed to contribute to the Argentina attack during a dominant first half against Paraguay. In the second, he was hopelessly overrun and unsurprisingly relegated to the bench after that debut draw.

Pablo Zabaleta: B+ 

After a niggling injury led Pablo Zabaleta to miss the opener, he was restored to the first team against Uruguay and Jamaica. A constant threat with his incursions down the right, it was the Manchester City man's precise cross to feed Sergio Aguero that broke the stalemate against the Celeste. 

Ezequiel Garay: B

An ever present in the centre of defence. For the most part, Zenit's Ezequiel Garay has been solid, although toward the end of the opening two games, some wobbles began to appear. 

Nicolas Otamendi: B- 

Nicolas Otamendi showed a big improvement to nullify Uruguay, having experienced a torrid end to proceedings in the opener against Paraguay. Rested for the Jamaica match, he should return for the quarter-finals onward. 

Martin Demichelis: B

Martin Demichelis had relatively little to do except guard against Jamaica's sporadic counters during his only appearance of the group stage.

Marcos Rojo: B+

Argentina's most consistent defender throughout the opening three matches. Marcos Rojo lit up the Jamaica clash with an inspired rabona cross and is assured of his place on the left-hand side of defence. 

Midfield

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Javier Mascherano: B

Javier Mascherano has not yet repeated the heroic form that made him a cult figure during the World Cup, but El Jefecito is always solid as the custodian in front of the back four. He suffered late on against Paraguay when the Guarani began to throw men forward.

Ever Banega: B

An undeserving victim of the disappointing draw that marked the Albiceleste's first game of the tournament. Ever Banega passed intelligently and with authority, but he was sacrificed in favour of more steel in the middle of the pitch for the next two matches.

Javier Pastore: B+

An outstanding attacking presence who had the key to breaking down Uruguay's resolve. Javier Pastore has been an asset to Argentina's in the middle, but he needs to show a little more consistency across the 90 minutes to truly make his talent count.

Lucas Biglia: C+

Lucas Biglia was drafted in to face Uruguay after the debacle of the final 20 minutes in the opener against Paraguay. Having suffered after coming on as a substitute against the Guarani, he has since been strong in the tackle and bolstered the Albiceleste midfield at the expense of a more direct approach from the middle into the final third.

Attack

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Lionel Messi: C+

Lionel Messi started the Copa America in exceptional form, but since that outstanding first half against Paraguay, he has been a more muted figure than the one who lit up the first half of 2015 in club football. He must resist the temptation to get dragged into the middle and stay in the danger zone.

Sergio Aguero: A- 

The best performer so far for the Albiceleste. Sergio Aguero's lightning reactions allowed him to open the scoring in the first match, and El Kun was once more in the right place at the right time to break down Uruguay. He was rested against Jamaica but is unquestionably Argentina's first choice at centre-forward. 

Angel Di Maria: C 

Angel Di Maria still does not look entirely comfortable in the out-and-out attacking position he has been moved into for his nation. He has done a lot of running and has the capacity to unsettle any defence, but his final product has so far left plenty to desire. His set-piece execution has also been poor.

Gonzalo Higuain: B

In his one start, Gonzalo Higuain scored the goal that broke Jamaican hearts and constantly found himself in excellent goal-scoring positions thereafter. The Napoli man's instinct in front of the net has been sharp, but his finishing has been rather less so—more than one chance was squandered against the Reggae Boyz. 

Carlos Tevez: C-

Thrown into an unfamiliar midfield position in the final minutes of the Paraguay clash, he missed a golden chance for the winner and failed to stem the Guarani tide. He has appeared off the bench in all three games and failed to convince observers that he deserves to start.

Coach

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Gerardo Martino: D+

In his first major test since taking over as Argentina coach, ex-Barcelona, Newell's Old Boys and Paraguay manager Gerardo Martino has failed to convince with his changes and tactical decisions so far.

In each game, Argentina have come roaring out of the starting blocks before experiencing a slump after half-time that Tata has not been able to combat.

Martino's decision to throw on Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain at such a delicate time in the match against Paraguay was rightly questioned. The coach subsequently made the right call by starting Pipita for the Jamaica match, but the jury is still out despite his side reaching the quarter-final stage with ease.