The Albiceleste captain was just as powerless as the rest of the disappointing Albiceleste, who were deservedly beaten by Colombia in Salvador
2019 Copa América
0-2
Match Events
29' A horrible deflection almost gifts Colombia a goal!
Again Argentina escape a scare as a result of some last-ditch defending, as Colombia were attacking in numbers on the break before Rodriguez was able to knock the ball behind for a corner. The Argentina fans are growing restless.
66' Great double chance for Argentina!
Argentina putting hammer to nail here as they try and force their way through for the opening goal. A bit of pinball ensues in the penalty area following a corner, and Ospina gets down brilliantly to save Aguero's header off the line, before Messi heads the rebound wide!
71' GOAL! Argentina 0-1 Colombia (Martinez)
A STUNNING HIT AND COLOMBIA LEAD! It's 1-0 courtesy of a goal out of the top drawer from Martinez! Very similar to the goal Everton scored for Brazil last night, Martinez bursts down the left flank before cutting inside onto his right and blasting a sensational finish in at the far post!
77' CHANCE! Messi's free-kick saved
Messi is certainly capable of a lot better, but he skews a free-kick harmlessly wide of the near post from 30 yards after drawing Lerma into a foul. There's certainly a hint of desperation in that.
86' GOAL! Argentina 0-2 Colombia (Zapata)
It's 2-0 Colombia and they are set to secure a famous win in Salvador! It's the other two substitutes who link up this time, as Lerma's driven cross is turned in by Zapata from five yards!
Match Report
The defeat was bad enough; the manner of the defeat is what will hurt most. Lionel Messi was made to look a mere mortal by Colombia as his Argentina team were bullied and outplayed in Saturday's Copa America curtain-raiser in Brazil, falling to a 2-0 reverse that lays bare the myriad problems afflicting the supposed international giants.
The lack of cohesion, the lack of collective play, the lack of anything remotely resembling a coherent team: these are the failings that will haunt Argentina after a dishevelled performance that bordered on anarchy at times in Salvador.
Expectations around the Argentina team going into this year's Copa were the lowest in recent memory. Even so, the Albiceleste failed to fulfil even the most minimum of requirements as they were comprehensively outplayed in a turgid first half.
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