'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Argentina kept their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Copa America alive earlier today, when they came from behind to register a 1-1 draw and salvage a point against Paraguay during the Group B clash in Belo Horizonte.
La Albiceleste started positively and with intent, but struggled to break down an organised and resolute Paraguayan defence during the initial stages of the game.
However, Eduardo Berizzo's men took a shock lead in the 37th minute through Richard Sanchez, who scored after getting on the end of a perfect cross from Miguel Almiron.
Despite their best efforts, it seemed like Argentina were on their way to a second successive defeat in the tournament, until Lionel Messi converted a penalty in the 57th minute to restore parity between the sides.
And just minutes later, Paraguay missed a golden opportunity to restore their lead at the other end, where Derlis Gonzalez failed to convert a penalty awarded to his side.
Luis Scaloni's men continue to remain rock-bottom of Group B with just a solitary point from their two games in Group B and will need nothing short of a win against Asian champions Qatar in their final game to stand a chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
Paraguay, who yet again failed to get over the line after taking the lead, have two points at the moment and will next face Group B leaders Colombia in their final game.
Without further delay, let's take a closer look at the three reasons why Argentina and Paraguay ended up sharing the points under the lights in Belo Horizonte:
Also see : Copa America Standings, La Liga Transfer News, Barcelona Transfer News
#1 Miguel Almiron and his decisive impact early on
Miguel Almiron shone brightly for Paraguay during the outing against Argentina and was arguably one of their most effective players on the pitch.
The 25-year-old, who made the switch to the Premier League with Newcastle United during the winter transfer window in January, was severely restricted towards the fag end of the domestic season in England due to a hamstring issue.
However, Almiron's impact in the first two games at the Copa America has been nothing short of spectacular and he notched up another assist in the tournament after feeding Richard Sanchez against Argentina.
The Paraguayan schemer went on an admirable lung-bursting run down the left flank and produced the perfect cross to the onrushing Sanchez, who fired into the bottom corner to beat Franco Armani in goal for Argentina to break the deadlock in the 37th minute.
And shortly after helping his team take the lead, Almiron produced another moment of brilliance by finding Federico Santander with a cheeky through ball, but the striker fluffed his lines and failed to cause any trouble whatsoever to the opponents.
Despite standing out throughout the first half, Almiron's highlight of the game came shortly after the half time interval, when he shrugged Lionel Messi off the ball and retained possession before bursting forward for his team.
#2 Introduction of Sergio Aguero and the intervention from VAR
Luis Scaloni was under severe pressure to deliver a result against Paraguay following Argentina's disappointing defeat to Colombia during the opening game in Group B last weekend.
And things did not go according to the script for La Albiceleste in the first half, after they conceded the opening goal to Paraguay, courtesy of Richard Sanchez, who scored just eight minutes before half time.
As such, the Argentina head coach was forced to introduce Sergio Aguero, who was dropped to the bench for the game, at the half time interval in search of goals.
Despite struggling to hit the ground running against Colombia, Aguero started positively against Paraguay and contributed significantly, after replacing Roberto Pereyra.
The Manchester City marksman was heavily involved in the build-up towards the penalty that was awarded by VAR in the 57th minute, when it was adjudged that Ivan Peris had handled the ball inside the area.
Aguero was the orchestrator-in-chief that laid down the foundation for the penalty, as he chested down and laid the ball off to Lautaro Martinez, whose shot had struck Peris' arm on the way to hitting the crossbar and going out for a corner.
And although none of the players seemed to have spotted or appealed for the feint touch, VAR was quick to communicate with the referee and the decision was awarded in favour of Argentina, who clawed their way back into the game through Lionel Messi, yet again.
#3 Paraguay missing a gilt-edged chance courtesy of Franco Armani
Franco Armani bailed Argentina out of jail in dramatic fashion just after the hour mark, four minutes after they had clawed their way back into the game through Lionel Messi's spot-kick.
There is the argument that Armani should have received his marching orders at the brink of half time, when he fouled Derlis Gonzalez after advancing way outside the penalty area.
However, the referee opted against dishing out a red card and cautioned him with a booking instead to extend his involvement in the game.
And Armani redeemed himself after a nervous start by hogging the limelight with a heroic penalty save that helped La Albiceleste salvage a point and keep their hopes alive in the tournament.
Nicolas Otamendi produced a horrendous tackle to bring down Gonzalez inside the area in the 61st minute as the referee blew the whistle straight away to hand Paraguay a golden chance to restore their lead.
But, Armani was more than equal to the task as he expertly read Gonzalez's spot-kick and parried it away to keep his side in the game and eventually help them open their account in the tournament.
The River Plate shot-stopper also produced another save in the latter stages of the game to deny Matias Rojas an opportunity to take the lead from a free-kick for Paraguay.
Luck certainly favours the brave and Argentina live to fight another day, following the heroics from Armani.
