Argentina vs. Paraguay: Winners and Losers from Copa America 2015 Semi-Final

Argentina blitzed Paraguay in the second semi-final of the 2015 Copa America on Wednesday, winning 6-1 to take their place against hosts Chile in the final on Saturday.

A back-and-forth start saw chances for both teams, but Lionel Messi's free-kick set up Marcos Rojo for the opening goal in scrappy circumstances. Javier Pastore netted the second with far greater quality, before Lucas Barrios pulled one back before the break. After half-time, Argentina stepped up through the gears, though, and Angel Di Maria (twice), Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain all netted to see manager Tata Martino's side through to the final.

Here are all our winners and losers from the game.

Winner: Lionel Messi

Silvia Izquierdo/Associated Press

Suggestions ensued before the game that there was more to come from Lionel Messi, particularly as he hadn't scored a goal in open play for such a long time for his nation.

In the first half, Messi was at times within himself and at others suddenly came to life, switching play and creating a few moments of danger—but the second 45 minutes saw No. 10 at his irrepressible best. He ran the show after half-time, leaving defender after defender tackling thin air as his dribbles and passes bore no rival.

Messi claimed a hat-trick of assists, was involved in the buildup for most of the goals and completely inspired his team to go on the offensive and wrap the game up. It was a monstrous showing.

Loser: Paraguay's Bad Luck on Attacking Injuries

Ricardo Mazalan/Associated Press

Paraguay put out an offensive-minded team once again, as they named two forwards and their usual combative and eager-to-get-forward midfield line, but losing two key starters—as well as two goals—in the first half-hour made this game a tremendously difficult task.

Derlis Gonzalez went down with a hamstring injury after being tackled by Angel Di Maria; he tried to continue, but just a few minutes later, it was game over for the match-winner against Brazil in the last round. Shortly afterward, captain Roque Santa Cruz followed his younger team-mate to the bench, as he also suffered a muscle injury.

Lucas Barrios, of course, had an impact with the goal, but the drop down in quality and pace with the absence of Gonzalez was tough to bear for Paraguay, which looked blunt and direct for most of the time after his departure.

Winner: Javier Pastore

Silvia Izquierdo/Associated Press

Lionel Messi was the star of the second half, but Argentina's game got going long before that. Javier Pastore was the instigator and the key man for much of it.

His runs off the ball and his link play with Messi and Sergio Aguero were top class. He perfectly weighted his passes in the final third and found gaps between the Paraguay defenders to receive possession time after time. His goal to give Argentina a 2-0 lead was superbly taken: one touch to control and one to find the bottom corner.

After the break, Pastore continued in his superb form, drifting through the Paraguay back line to create chances, and he received a deserved and huge ovation when substituted later on. He will be pivotal for Argentina's hopes of final glory.

Winner: Angel Di Maria

Ricardo Mazalan/Associated Press

Instead of a second loser here, we're focusing on another huge performance in Argentina's attack: Angel Di Maria, who scored twice, assisted Aguero's goal and was tremendously influential throughout.

Keeping the width on the left, Di Maria's energy and pace ensured that the Paraguay defence remained stretched throughout, and he varied his runs impressively, outside to cross and infield to fashion openings to shoot.

Two goals in quick succession after the break were just rewards for his endeavours, but Di Maria's all-round performance was worthy of note. He worked hard, his delivery was first class and he was a more direct threat for most of the game than the more subtle, technique-driven approach of Pastore was—not better or worse, just different and difficult for Paraguay to deal with.

Winner: The Final the Fans Hoped For?

Silvia Izquierdo/Associated Press

Well, aside from Brazil supporters, of course, many neutral watchers of the Copa America would have said that Argentina were the best team and Chile, the hosts, were one of the most exciting—so these two meeting in the final is an intriguing prospect, indeed.

Chile have never won the Copa America, while Argentina are without a win since 1993; both teams will have pressure and expectations on them to see out the last match in style and with silverware.

The match will feature Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez and Jorge Valdivia against Lionel Messi, Javier Pastore and Sergio Aguero: The creativity and pace in attack on show should be exhilarating to watch and spectacular in what they produce.

The third-place game Friday—Peru against Paraguay—should be enticing, too, with two offensive sides with nothing to lose involved, but then all eyes will be on the big game Saturday in a winner-takes-all final.

Follow @karlmatchett.