Messi stars in brilliant Argentina Copa America victory over Bolivia
Uruguay defeats Paraguay to qualify for quarterfinals
Argentina defeated already-eliminated Bolivia 4-1 to cement their place as the top-seeded team in Group B and end their 2021 Copa America group campaign in style. Sevilla’s Alejandro Gomez opened the scoring after just 6 minutes, volleying home a sumptuous Lionel Messi ball over the top. Messi added a second for La Albiceleste from the penalty spot after Gomez was fouled in the 33rd minute. Messi added his second and Argentina’s third after 42 minutes with a dinked finish over the Bolivian goalkeeper following a brilliant through ball from Sergio Aguero to put Argentina 3-0 up at halftime. Bolivia pulled one back through Erwin Saavedra on the hour mark as Argentina took their foot off the pedal, before Lautaro Martinez scored a fourth for Argentina five minutes later.
Uruguay defeated Paraguay 1-0 in the other Group B match to overtake Paraguay and finish the group stage in second place. Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani scored the game’s only goal from the penalty spot in the 21st minute of the match. Both sides join Argentina and Chile in the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinal fixtures for the 2021 Copa America are set, with Brazil taking on Chile and Paraguay taking on Peru in one side of the draw, and Argentina taking on Ecuador and Uruguay facing Colombia in the other side of the draw.
