Copa America 2019, Argentina 1-1 Paraguay: 5 Talking Points

#4 Finally, Messi arrives at Copa America 2019

Lionel Messi scored his first goal of this year's Copa America

Coming on the back of scoring 50 goals in the season, Lionel Messi was provided with a chance of redemption after going almost 140 minutes of normal time without a goal.

With his side trailing 1-0 and facing the prospect of going out of the tournament, Messi stepped up in the 57th minute facing Gaito Fernandez after the referee gave the Albiceleste a penalty following a harsh handball call on Ivan Piris.

With memories of his skying his last penalty in the Copa America Centenario finals, Lionel Messi shot to his right as the Barcelona man scored his first goal of this year's edition after Fernandez agonisingly came close to saving it.

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#3 Franco Armani saves the day

Franco Armani saved a penalty in the 61st minute.

The limelight would have fallen on Lionel Messi for finally scoring from the spot had it not been for the heroics at the other end of the pitch from Franco Armani.

Lucky to still be on the pitch following a mishap in the 45th minute that led to the goalkeeper fouling Gonzalez, Armani was put on the spotlight yet again after Paraguay was awarded a penalty in the 61st minute after a rash challenge by Otamendi on the same player.

At 1-1, Gonzalez stepped up to take the crucial penalty kick that would have given his side a lead and possibly a victory. But the Paraguayan player saw his shot parried away after Armani read the intentions of the winger to keep his side in the match.

The 32-year old was at it yet again in the 85th minute when he made a double save. First he stopped Matias Rojas' curling freekick and followed it up with another block on the follow through. Even if a goal was scored in the follow through, it would have been deemed offside.