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Argentina national team reaches 1000 matches, statistics and numbers

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Friday’s 1-0 win vs. Uruguay at the Copa America was Argentina’s 1000th game played, counting matches against senior teams only and excluding matches vs. B teams (like Catalunya) or clubs.

Incredibly, Argentina’s first match was also against Uruguay and also a victory. On May 16, 1901, the Albiceleste beat La Celeste 3-2 in Uruguay’s capital Montevideo.

Match number 500 for Argentina was a well-remembered one too. It was the 6-0 win vs. Peru during World Cup 1978 played in Argentina. On that occasion, the national team had to win by four clear goals to reach the final.

In the middle of the Argentine dictatorship, which was filled with suspicion and controversy, it saw Argentina’s dictator Rafael Videla visiting Peru’s locker room. What was on the line for that match as the national team, with Mario Kempes as the star, making it to the World Cup final.

Here, Argentina’s record against some of its rivals:
+25 vs. Uruguay (187 matches played, 84 wins, 44 draws, 59 losses)
-2 vs. Brazil (107 matches played, 40 wins, 25 draws, 42 losses)
+51 vs. Chile (87 matches played, 57 wins, 24 draws, 6 losses)
+11 vs. Mexico (30 matches played, 15 wins, 11 draws, 4 losses)
+3 vs. Germany (23 matches played, 10 wins, 6 draws, 7 losses)
-3 vs. England (15 matches played, 3 wins, 6 draws, 6 losses)
0 vs. Spain (14 matches played, 6 wins, 2 draws, 6 losses)
+3 vs. France (12 matches played, 6 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses)
-3 vs. Netherlands (9 matches played, 1* win, 4 draws, 4 losses)
-2 vs. Italy (15 matches played, 4 wins, 5 draws, 6 losses)

*Argentina’s only victory vs. the Netherlands was at the 1978 World Cup final. Argentina’s memorable win on penalties in the Semifinals of the 2014 World Cup is considered a draw.

Sergio Aguero, several changes expected for Argentina vs. Paraguay

Roy Nemer
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Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni is expected to make several changes for Monday’s match vs. Paraguay at the Copa America.

Nahuel Molina, who had a good match vs. Uruguay, could start on Monday or Scaloni could revert back to using Gonzalo Montiel. That spot remains undecided. In midfield and attack is where the big doubts are for Scaloni.

Per a report by TyC Sports, Gio Lo Celso, who was substituted off for Exequiel Palacios in the 1-0 win vs. Uruguay, has a swollen left ankle and is bandaged. He is set to miss the match on Monday and could be replaced by either Exequiel Palacios or Leandro Paredes.

The other issue in midfield is that of Leandro Paredes. The PSG was replaced by Guido Rodriguez, who scored the match winner for Argentina and brought more defensive stability to the team. We could see Guido replacing Paredes and Paredes replacing Lo Celso or Guido replacing Paredes and Palacios replacing Lo Celso.

Nicolas Gonzalez is not fully fit after having received a knock vs. Uruguay and is set to be replaced by Angel Di Maria on the wing. Up front, Lautaro Martinez could lose his starting spot for Sergio Aguero. This is the rumored eleven, if taking into considering the doubts:

Emiliano Martinez; Molina/Montiel, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna/Tagliafico; De Paul, Guido/Paredes, Palacios/Paredes; Messi, Lautaro/Aguero, Di Maria

Lionel Messi’s game vs. Uruguay: Man of the Match, unstoppable, leader

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Lionel Messi played a fantastic match vs. Uruguay and led the national team to its first victory after three consecutive draws, in the 1000th game of Argentina’s national team history.

The Argentina captain assisted Guido Rodríguez with a precise cross, which was the Albiceleste’s winning goal. But it wasn’t just the cross as Leo made some incredible runs against the always tough Uruguayan defense, being able to dribble many opponents in difficult situations.

But Messi’s importance on the game wasn’t just when he had the ball. He was seen giving orders constantly to his teammates, trying to organize the team on the pitch. In addition to his magnificent never-ending skills, it seems that we are seeing more of a leader and a more mature Messi than in previous occasions.

Messi’s assist to Guido’s goal is his 13th, a record at the Copa America.

Here is a short Lionel Messi compilation from Argentina’s 1-0 win.

Emiliano Martinez: “We are here to win it. We are not afraid of anyone”

Roy Nemer
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Emiliano Martinez spoke about Argentina’s 1-0 win vs. Uruguay, the team and the Copa America.

Martinez has now started the last four games for the Argentina national team and not only got his first win but his first clean sheet. He was interviewed by TyC Sports after the match, here is what he had to say:

“As a group, we were missing the win. We came with a bit of a bitter taste in our mouths because we played well and we couldn’t win.

“They would score against us when we could have been a little better defensively. Today, we defended first and attacked second.”

In regards to the Copa America:

“We are here to win it, it’s what we all dream of, we have the best in the world and a good coach who gives us a plan every match and we’re going to win.

“We have a great squad, anyone who comes in wants to do well, the coach gives a lot of confidence to the players and that is good for the group.”

Regarding favorites Brazil and the other teams in the tournament:

“We are not afraid of anyone, we respect everyone, we are going match by match. I believe from the match vs. Chile in Santiago to now, we are more solid and today we had the defensive solidity.”

Guido Rodriguez scores winner for Argentina vs. Uruguay at Copa America

Roy Nemer
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Guido Rodriguez scored the only goal of the match in Argentina’s 1-0 win vs. Uruguay.

Argentina have broken their run of three consecutive draws with a win against their eternal rivals. This was Uruguay’s first match of the Copa America and are well rested, as opposed to Argentina who played on Monday.

Rodriguez, who was not even supposed to be starting for Argentina, replaced Leandro Paredes in the eleven and showed his worth. A cross into the penalty area by Lionel Messi found Rodriguez who headed the ball onto the post and into the net.

Lionel Scaloni made two changes early in the second half. Joaquin Correa came on for Lautaro Martinez, who once more looked out of form. The second change was Exequiel Palacios for Gio Lo Celso. The team kept their shape and kept Uruguay at bay with Uruguay getting close to scoring once, as a cross was sent into the penalty area but it missed everyone.

Angel Di Maria was brought in for Nicolas Gonzalez who put in a solid effort, making runs and attacking the Uruguayan back line. Lionel Messi had the ball inside the penalty area a few times but his efforts were blocked.

The final change was German Pezzella for Rodrigo De Paul as Argentina held on to the 1-0 win.

It was a solid showing by Lionel Scaloni’s team as Uruguay had zero shots on target and three efforts off target.

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