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Argentina’s positive semi final record in Copa America and World Cup’s

Roy Nemer
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Argentina has a positive record when it comes to semi finals in senior tournaments.

When Argentina play against Brazil in the semi finals of the 2019 Copa America, their track record in that stage of the two largest tournaments is very much on their side. Argentina have played in 13 semi finals when it comes to both the Copa America and the FIFA World Cup and have won 12 of their 13 games.

The team’s only defeat in a semi final has to be traced back all the way to the 1987 Copa America when they lost 1-0 against Uruguay. The rest have all been victories or victories through a penalty shootout.

Olympic Games, 1928: A 6-0 win vs. Egypt

FIFA World Cup 1930: A 6-1 win vs. United States

FIFA World Cup 1986: A 2-0 win vs. Belgium

Copa America 1987: A 1-0 loss vs. Uruguay

FIFA World Cup 1990: A 0-0 draw, 4-3 win on penalty kicks vs. Italy

FIFA Confederations Cup 1992: A 4-0 win vs. Ivory Coast

Copa America 1993: A 0-0 draw, 6-5 win on penalty kicks vs. Colombia

Copa America 2004: A 3-0 win vs. Colombia

FIFA Confederations Cup 2005: A 1-1 draw, 6-5 win on penalty kicks vs. Mexico

Copa America 2007: A 3-0 win vs. Mexico

FIFA World Cup 2014: A 0-0 draw, 4-2 win vs. Netherlands

Copa America 2015: A 6-1 win vs. Paraguay

Copa America 2016: A 4-0 win vs. United States

Sergio AGUERO talks Argentina vs. Brazil at the Copa America

Roy Nemer
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The veteran Argentina striker spoke to the media following his team’s 2-0 win against Venezuela where he commented on the upcoming game vs. Brazil.

Sergio AGUERO has been a regular starter for coach Lionel SCALONI at the Copa America and brings a lot of experience to the team. Having faced Brazil several times in his national team career, AGUERO knows what it is to be both on the winning side and on the losing side of these games.

Speaking to the media, here’s what he had to say:

“We will try our best like we just did to make the shirt mean something. Argentina vs. Brazil is not played every day and even more so in a tournament like this. A lot of expectations are generated, not only in our country but in the world.

“We know that this game will not be easy but we are happy for having made the semi finals. Little by little we are becoming more comfortable.”

Lionel MESSI on Argentina’s Copa America: “It’s not my best but important is we are winning”

Roy Nemer
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Argentina captain Lionel MESSI spoke following his team’s 2-0 win against Venezuela in the Copa America.

The veteran of the team, MESSI commented on his personal Copa America, the team, the pitches and more. Here’s what he had to say:

“It’s not my best Copa America, I’m not having the Copa America I was hoping of having. But the important thing is we are winning.

“At the Copa, anyone can defeat anyone, we’ve taken an extra step. There’s a lot of things to highlight. I said from the first day: “There’s a group of very young kids, not just on a football level. On a human level, there’s a friendship between them.””

Regarding the pitches at the Copa America:

“The pitches are very bad, it’s a shame that it’s like that. It doesn’t help us with being able to play the ball quickly and it always takes a bit more time because it bounces badly, you can’t control.

“On every pitch, the ball looks like a rabbit, you see it going everywhere.  It is what it is and we have to adapt.”

In regards to Venezuela:

“We knew that they were going to sit back and try to counter. We managed the game from the beginning, we got the goal and that’s where we messed up, in having the ball.

“In the second half we knew that they were going to come at us and leave space. The team stayed firm, it was a complete game. Defensively, we were very united, we didn’t give up space.”

MESSI also spoke about playing up front with Lautaro MARTINEZ and Sergio AGUERO:

“If we want to play the three of us up front, we have to run.”

Argentina team effort sends them into Copa America semi finals vs. Brazil

Roy Nemer
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Goals by Lautaro MARTINEZ and Gio LO CELSO sent Argentina into the semi finals of the Copa America.

A team effort by Lionel SCALONI’s team ensured a birth in the semi finals where they will play hosts Brazil. Lautaro MARTINEZ opened the scoring early once more, this time a lovely backheel flick off a Sergio AGUERO shot which beat the goalkeeper.

Argentina controlled much of the tempo of the first half as they took a 1-0 lead going into half time. The second half saw Venezuela with the ball and Argentina goalkeeper Franco ARMANI was called into action as his key saves maintained his team’s advantage.

Leandro PAREDES sent goal scorer Lautaro MARTINEZ through on goal with a lovely pass but Lautaro’s shot hit the outside of the post.

Lautaro MARTINEZ was substituted off for Angel DI MARIA and Marcos ACUNA came out for Gio LO CELSO. Argentina’s second goal came shortly after LO CELSO was substituted on. DI MARIA initially started the play as the ball fell to AGUERO. His shot was spilled by the goalkeeper and LO CELSO was the first to reach it as he made it 2-0 for Argentina.

Paulo DYBALA was later brought on for Sergio AGUERO.

Lionel MESSI, Sergio AGUERO, Lautaro start for Argentina vs. Venezuela

Roy Nemer
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343

The attacking trio start again at the Copa America with one change from the last win.

Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI made one change to the team which beat Qatar as Marcos ACUÑA starts in place of Gio LO CELSO in midfield. Here’s the starting eleven:

ARMANI; FOYTH, PEZZELLA, OTAMENDI, TAGLIAFICO; DE PAUL, PAREDES, ACUÑA; MESSI, Lautaro MARTINEZ, AGUERO.

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