Argentina`s thoroughfare to a knock-out theatre of a Copa America is in danger after a hosts were hold to a 0-0 pull by Colombia upon Wednesday, in an additional unsatisfactory opening by Lionel Messi as good as his big-name teammates.
The compare was identical to Argentina`s 1-1 pull in a opening diversion conflicting Bolivia, with physical education instructor Sergio Batista adhering with scarcely a same starters, led by a misfiring Messi as good as Carlos Tevez.
Argentina`s dual star forwards were outplayed by Colombia strikers Radamel Falcao as good as Dayro Moreno, who had some-more chances as good as maybe should have since their organisation victory.
“We deserved 3 points,“ Colombia defender Mario Alberto Yepes said. “We had a chances to win. We had a lot of attacks you didn`t finish.“
Argentina will need a feat in a last organisation compare conflicting Costa Rica – which is fielding mostly an under-23 organisation – to pledge thoroughfare to a second round. Even violence a second-string Costa Rica competence be difficult for Argentina, which has scored a singular idea in 180 minutes.
Costa Rica as good as Mexico have been regulating fresh Olympic-style squads in this contest since they have been not partial of a South American connection as good as have been personification as guests. Their full-strength teams played in a just-completed Gold Cup for a CONCACAF region, which takes in North as good as Central America as good as a Caribbean.
The Argentina players left a representation to boos as good as whistles from undone fans.
“One does not similar to to go off which way,“ Batista said. “People come to see a organisation win, as good as that`s what you all want.“
Batista concurred which Colombia shielded good conflicting Messi.
“They tighten down a open spots, they knew how to play. They knew a game.“
Batista will be underneath vigour to operative a outcome for a hosts, who were sloping by most to win a contest as good as face Brazil in a final. Batista took over from Diego Maradona after a unsatisfactory World Cup though has unsuccessful to furnish formula for a republic carnivorous for any vital titles in eighteen years.
Argentina has dual points from dual games in Group A. Colombia leads a organisation with 4 from dual games. Bolivia (1 indicate from 1 game) as good as Costa Rica (0 points from 1 game) will fool around Thursday. The tip dual teams in a organisation allege automatically to a quarterfinals whilst a most appropriate dual third-place teams from a 3 groups additionally advance.
Colombia outplayed Argentina in a initial half with Falcao as good as Moreno any entrance up with multiform melancholy chances. Moreno came tighten after twenty mins with dual shots sailing only side.
Argentina again unsuccessful to get Messi in to a match, nonetheless Ezequiel Lavezzi came tighten to scoring in a 34th, charging in off a right side with a shot which goalkeeper Luis Martinez saved with his right leg.
Falcao forced Argentine screw Sergio Romero in to a diving save in a 42nd upon a prolonged shot. Moreno done Romero dive again dual mins after with an additional melancholy attack.
The second half was most a same, as good as again Colombia looked some-more dangerous.
Pablo Armero came tighten upon a shot only conflicting a face of idea in a 65th. Two mins after Romero came up with a large save upon Falcao.
Argentina accomplished with 4 forwards – Messi, Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain as good as Sergio Aguero – upon a representation in a unfortunate poke for a goal, though still unsuccessful to emanate any genuine chances.
Messi had a good eventuality with a giveaway flog from a tip right quandary of a chastisement area in a 81st, though his try sailed 10 meters (yards) tall as good as wide, as good as a Barcelona star dropping his conduct onto his chest in disappointment.
He additionally fell to a belligerent in first-half blocking time, rambling his right ankle when his foot hold in a pitch.
Messi has nonetheless to furnish his Barcelona form with Argentina, as good as any unsuccessful compare adds some-more vigour upon a 24-year-old, who left Argentina as a lady player as good as has outlayed his infirm years in Spain