Argentina (National Football)

Lionel Messi was sent off, but Argentina still finished third in the 2019 Copa America after beating Chile 2-1 in the third-place playoff on Saturday.

Sergio Aguero and Paulo Dybala put La Albiceleste 2-0 up after just 22 minutes at the Corinthians Arena before Messi and Chile enforcer Gary Medel were both shown the red card after a heated exchange eight minutes before halftime.

Lionel Messi and Gary Medel both just got sent off after this clash at the #CopaAmerica 3rd place match 👀

🎥 @TelemundoSports #CA2019Telemnundo pic.twitter.com/YwGrAKgSIR

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) July 6, 2019

An Arturo Vidal penalty just before the hour mark gave Chile hope, but the holders couldn't find an equaliser and ended a disappointing title defence with a second straight defeat after losing 3-0 to Peru in the semi-final.

Aguero went clear after just 12 minutes and expertly rounded Chile goalkeeper Gabriel Arias before tucking away the goal coolly. The Manchester City ace has been one of the few players who has delivered for his country:

Sergio Aguero for Argentina:

Games - 95
Goals - 40

Lethal finisher 🔥#CopaAmerica #ARGCHI pic.twitter.com/IxeHq26Lxc

— bwin (@bwin) July 6, 2019

Argentina don't always produce the goods, but Aguero and Co. were clicking during this opening 45 minutes. The passing was neat, quick and intuitive, while the movement off the ball had variety and timing Chile couldn't cope with.

Yet another slick move saw Real Betis schemer Giovani Lo Celso slide in Dybala, and like Aguero, the Juventus man didn't waste his chance.

La Albiceleste were coasting until Messi saw red, albeit in controversial circumstances:

Messi and Medel both chase the ball. Medel bumps into Messi a few times, a yellow card at most as Messi stands his ground. Referee gives both men a straight red card.

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) July 6, 2019

Now, what is the point of the techno-nerds if they can't correct an outrage like that Messi red card?

— Tim Vickery (@Tim_Vickery) July 6, 2019

Even with Argentina's star player off the pitch, Chile needed some good fortune to get back into the game. It came when Lo Celso was adjudged to have given away a spot-kick in the 59th minute.

A check from the video assistant referee was needed to confirm the decision, but Vidal wasn't rattled and continued his prolific run at international level:

Arturo Vidal has now scored 27 goals for Chile.

What a record from midfield 🔥#CopaAmerica #ARGCHI #CHI pic.twitter.com/kSQKKz05tv

— bwin (@bwin) July 6, 2019

Chile couldn't muster a further response thanks largely to a sluggish cameo from attacking talisman Alexis Sanchez. The misfiring Manchester United forward never got behind the Argentina defence, nor did he combine consistently with Vidal and Eduardo Vargas before leaving the pitch after 15 minutes with a suspected muscular problem, per Goal.

With Sanchez off the pitch, La Roja lacked the inspiration in final third, and Argentina were able to hold a slender lead without too many scares. City centre-back Nicolas Otamendi and Paris Saint-Germain holding player Leandro Paredes were the standouts in defence for a squad good enough to win the tournament but still short of inspiration at key moments.

The reliance on Messi will have to be reduced if La Albiceleste are going to make good at this level. By contrast, Chile have learned they don't have the supporting cast to compensate for talisman Sanchez being below par.

   

What's Next?

The two teams will meet in a rematch for an international friendly at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on September 5.

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni said his players want to win the Copa America for Lionel Messi, and he confirmed Sergio Aguero will start Tuesday's semi-final against Brazil. 

Per ESPN FC, Scaloni said:

"The players love Messi so much that sometimes they say they want to win the tournament just for him. The best player in football's history is lacking a trophy with Argentina, but we all want to win, not just him.

"We are used to seeing him score three goals in every game and dribble past five players, but we are asking him to do something different, and we are more than happy with the job he is doing.

"He has embraced the workload, he is our flag-bearer."

Ahead of the tournament, Aguero said he was desperate to help deliver international success for his team-mate:

Aguero will do everything he can to help Messi win 🥇 pic.twitter.com/B2YhXXhS4w

— GOAL (@goal) June 7, 2019

Messi's only honour with Argentina is a gold medal from the 2008 Olympics. The Barcelona star helped La Albiceleste reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup final and Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016, but his side lost on each occasion.

Although many already consider him to be the best player of all time, for some, the forward's lack of international silverware hinders his claim to that title.

Pele and Diego Maradona each won the World Cup—three times, in the former's case—while Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal won the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in June.

Amid speculation Aguero might not start alongside Messi against the Selecao, Scaloni added: "Aguero will play. I said it because I read I was in doubt. Let me leave that clear."

He also joked: "The rest you will know tomorrow. Not even Messi is confirmed."

Aguero hit a milestone for his country with his goal in Argentina's 2-0 win over Qatar in their final group match:

Sergio Aguero is the third Argentina international to score 4️⃣0️⃣ goals for his country. 🇦🇷

6️⃣8️⃣ Lionel Messi
5️⃣4️⃣ Gabriel Batistuta
4️⃣0️⃣ Sergio Aguero
3️⃣5️⃣ Hernan Crespo
3️⃣4️⃣ Diego Maradona pic.twitter.com/tHGp3jYKKf

— GOAL (@goal) June 24, 2019

Argentinian football expert Roy Nemer believes he and Lautaro Martinez make an effective strike partnership:

Sergio Aguero and Lautaro Martinez starting together works. The team looks like they can score when both are out there and it just works. Rodrigo De Paul is a must in this Argentina starting line-up too. Pressures a lot, good dribbler, passes well and works a lot for the squad.

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) June 23, 2019

Martinez also found the net against Qatar and again in the quarter-final as La Albiceleste beat Venezuela 2-0, taking his tally to six goals in 10 appearances for his country.

Argentina are much stronger going forward than they are defensively, so they'll be looking to Aguero, Martinez and Messi to make the difference for them against Brazil.

Lionel Messi doesn't think he's performed to his best at the 2019 Copa America despite Argentina progressing to the semi-finals.

The Albiceleste set up a mouthwatering showdown with Brazil in the last four after they beat Venezuela 2-0 on Friday. Goals from Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso were enough to inspire Argentina to victory.

Messi's only goal of the competition so far came in the 1-1 draw with Paraguay in the group stages when he netted from the penalty spot.

Speaking after Argentina's latest win, the Barcelona man said his all-round performances have not been up to his usual high standards, per Dejan Kalinic of Goal:

"The truth is that it's not been my best Copa America, not what I expected. There are matches that occur in this way. You cannot play a lot, it's complicated for those of us who want to do something different, to avoid rivals. The important thing is that we won and we continue."

Lionel Messi and Argentina are two wins away from realising their #CopaAmerica dream 💭 pic.twitter.com/oyJwVB5kRF

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 28, 2019

Here are the highlights from Argentina's win on Friday:

🔥 Lautaro Martinez opens the scoring for Argentina

TEKKERS 😍#CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/BSPnSmiNmx

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) June 28, 2019

🇦🇷 Giovani Lo Celso fires Argentina into a 2 goal lead after Agüero's shot is saved!

👀 Argentina have a semi final versus Brazil in sight#CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/J22Dqs1DBL

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) June 28, 2019

In recent years, Argentina have been dependent on Messi, as the team has been fractured and dysfunctional around the iconic forward. At this competition, some other members of the team have finally stepped up.

Football journalist Andy West noted that this pattern is a big deviation from the norm for the South American giants:

Lionel Messi played badly but Argentina played well. The world is turning upside down.

— Andy West (@andywest01) June 28, 2019

Martinez has looked a natural on the international stage, with the Inter Milan man's opening goal in the win over Venezuela showing he has a knack for the spectacular.

Per Argentina football journalist Peter Coates, the youngster has outshone some big names for his country:

When you want to talk about making the most of opportunities...

Lautaro Martínez - 6 goals in 10 appearances

Mauro Icardi - 1 goal in 8 apps

Paulo Dybala - 1 goal in 21 apps pic.twitter.com/jy1IkYQQXK

— GOLAZO (@golazoargentino) June 28, 2019

After picking up just one point from their first two games in the competition, there were some early fears that Argentina wouldn't make it beyond the group stages of the 2019 Copa.

They were able to dig in against Qatar in their final group match and pick up a 2-0 win to finish behind Colombia in Group B. While they were far from perfect against Venezuela, it was another step forward in terms of performance for Lionel Scaloni's side.

However, to get pasts hosts and favourites Brazil, they will need to go up another gear, and Argentina fans will hope Messi can provide that next level.

Rafael Hernandez of Barcelona fansite Grup14 thinks this has been the Blaugrana star's most disappointing international tournament:

Agree, this Copa América is the worst tournament Messi’s had in terms of performance for Argentina so far. https://t.co/ggLlkUo1bg

— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) June 28, 2019

Messi will be determined to excel against Brazil, though. Three times Argentina have made it to major finals during his time in the team and on each occasion they've come up short. For all he's achieved with Barcelona, accomplishing something with his country would mean so much for the 32-year-old.

The Selecao will be expected to advance despite their inconsistent form at the competition so far. However, if an improved Argentina side can be boosted by a galvanised Messi, Brazil need to be wary.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said his side are feeling confident ahead of their Copa America quarter-final showdown with Venezuela on Friday after they beat Qatar in their last match. 

La Albiceleste finished the group stage with a 2-0 win over the Asian champions, who were invited to participate in the tournament alongside Japan.

"We think we're good because we came from a win that gave us a significant emotional boost," Scaloni said ahead of the quarter-final, per Goal's Dejan Kalinic. "It's going to be a difficult game, but we are confident."

Scaloni also noted the pressure his side are under following their victory over Qatar:

"Sometimes, these guys go out to play a soccer game and they seem to go out and play a war. With the pressure on them sometimes it is difficult to play.

"The message should be that while playing in the Copa America we are all on the same side."

Argentina started the tournament poorly as they lost 2-0 to Colombia before being held to a 1-1 draw by Paraguay.

The win over Qatar secured them a place in the last eight, with Lautaro Martinez and Sergio Aguero each getting on the scoresheet.

Argentinian football expert Roy Nemer was pleased with the attacking duo, but he remains concerned about La Albiceleste's defensive capabilities:

I thought Franco Armani looked more confident out there, maybe the penalty stop against Paraguay helped. However that back line is a disaster. A wound that constantly gets opened with every attack from the opposition. They're defending as they go along and it shows.

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) June 23, 2019

Venezuela did not score in their first two matches, which were 0-0 draws with Peru and Brazil, but they beat Bolivia 3-1 in their last outing.

Salomon Rondon's physicality and superb hold-up play can cause Argentina a lot of problems, while Darwin Machis is up and running after he netted twice against Bolivia.

Football journalist Simon Edwards believes Venezuela are in better shape than Argentina heading into the match:

🇦🇷 Argentina vs Venezuela 🇻🇪

Venezuela have already beaten Argentina 3-1 this year.

They have a clear system they know can work against Argentina, a world class goalkeeper, a quality striker & Josef off the bench.

Argentina have a higher ceiling but today Veneuezla are better.

— Simon Edwards (@SimonEdwardsSAF) June 26, 2019

If Scaloni's side are feeling confident after their win over Qatar, it would not come as a surprise if their self-belief turned out to be quite fragile—an early setback could be devastating.

Venezuela will be a significant test for Argentina, one they could easily fail if they don't improve on their previous showings.

Lionel Messi has said Argentina's 2-0 victory over Qatar in the 2019 Copa America in Brazil will help them "gain confidence" going into the knockout rounds.

After two games of their Group B campaign, Argentina had just one point following a defeat to Colombia and draw with Paraguay.

But Lautaro Martinez and Sergio Aguero netted against Qatar on Sunday to secure Argentina second place in their pool, meaning they advance to the quarter-finals where they will meet Venezuela.

Messi believes the victory over Qatar can help Argentina build some momentum going into the knockout rounds, per the team's official website (h/t Press Association, via MailOnline):

"We had a good match and we won, which was the most important. We needed a game like this, to gain confidence and be calm. As the games go by, the team has to grow and this match served that purpose. Now starts another Copa. Now starts all or nothing."

Argentina have reached the final in the last two editions of the Copa America but lost on both occasions to Chile on penalties.

On the basis of their performances so far in Brazil, it would be a major achievement were they to go as far again this year.

Even in victory at Porto Alegre's Arena do Gremio on Sunday, Lionel Scaloni's side looked unconvincing.

They will still be favourites to get past Venezuela, who are ranked No. 33 in the world, 22 places below Argentina.

But given Argentina were held to a draw by No. 36-ranked Paraguay in the group stage, Venezuela could still pose a challenge.

In the knockout stages, Messi's form will be vital to Argentina's progress, but he will need help from elsewhere.

It is good news for the side that Aguero found his goalscoring touch against Qatar:

Aguero wraps it up 💥 pic.twitter.com/mATgdKQVtd

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 23, 2019

Argentina finally get the second. Very nice from Aguero

— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) June 23, 2019

The Manchester City man enjoyed a superb 2018-19 season, and in tandem with Messi, he could cause problems for any defence in the world.

But Argentina need to find their best form fast, because if they get past Venezuela, they will likely meet hosts Brazil in the semi-finals.

They will have little chance of beating the Selecao unless they dramatically improve on their form so far in the tournament.  

Argentina beat Qatar 2-0 to qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2019 Copa America at the Arena do Gremio in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on Sunday:

Argentina back on track, heading to the #CopaAmerica quarter-finals 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/7PT2QdMx84

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 23, 2019

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez got Argentina off to the perfect start by firing a low shot past goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb after just four minutes.

However, Lionel Scaloni's side could not add to their early goal, and Qatar came close to an equaliser just before half-time when Hassan Al-Haydos was inches away from converting a cross at the far post.

Argentina dominated the second half and created plenty of chances. Sergio Aguero was twice denied by Al Sheeb, while Lionel Messi blazed a good opportunity over the bar.

The Albiceleste's pressure eventually told on 82 minutes, when Aguero beat two defenders and then rifled a low shot across goal and into the back of the net to secure the win.

Scaloni made three changes to his team for the clash against Qatar, with Juan Foyth, Renzo Saravia and Sergio Aguero all coming into his starting XI:

Confirmation of Argentina's XI to face Qatar. Saravia & Foyth come in to the back four while Agüero partners Lautaro up top https://t.co/X3tzmNWXVc

— GOLAZO (@golazoargentino) June 23, 2019

The Albiceleste started the game strongly, with Lionel Messi and Martinez both firing shots over the crossbar before the Inter striker opened the scoring.

The goal came from a mistake by the Qatar defence, as Martinez intercepted a wayward pass out from the back and clinically finished from inside the penalty area (U.S. only):

An early goal for Argentina in this must-win match!

Lautaro Martínez capitalizes on a poor Qatar clearance! pic.twitter.com/Of4SlkZvct

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 23, 2019

It was the perfect start from Argentina, but Qatar gradually grew into the game and had chances to level the scores before half-time.

Their best opening fell to Al-Haydos five minutes before the break. The striker was inches away from latching on to a cross in from the right on the stretch but could not quite convert at the far post.

Journalist Daniel Edwards summed up Argentina's performance:

If one could sum up Argentina's Copa América campaign in one moment, it would be Lo Celso and Paredes jumping in opposite directions in the wall to open up a gaping hole and let Qatar hit the post.

— Daniel Edwards 💚 (@DanEdwardsGoal) June 23, 2019

Scaloni opted to make a change early in the second half, bringing off Giovani Lo Celso for Marcos Acuna, and Argentina started to dominate the game.

Messi set up Aguero for a great chance just before the hour mark, but the Manchester City striker saw his shot deflected over the crossbar. Aguero was then denied twice by goalkeeper Al Sheeb, as Qatar continued to frustrate the Albiceleste.

Even captain Messi was struggling to find the target for Argentina, as noted by football writer Sid Lowe:

Messi shot just went *vertically* upwards and over bar from 9 yards.

— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) June 23, 2019

Scaloni sent on Juventus forward Paulo Dybala for the final 15 minutes in search of the second goal, and it finally arrived with just eight minutes of normal time remaining.

Aguero picked up the ball deep inside the Qatar half but powered past two defenders and fired a low shot across goal that beat Al Sheeb:

That is some goal by Aguero, has to be said. Had a lot of work to be done and he scored. Not easy at all.

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) June 23, 2019

His goal was enough to seal Argentina's first victory at the Copa America and sees Scaloni's side avoid an embarrassing early exit from the tournament.

    

What's Next?

Argentina finish second in Group B and go on to face Venezuela in the quarter-finals. Qatar finish in fourth place and are eliminated from the tournament.

Lionel Messi expressed his frustrations with Argentina's struggles at the 2019 Copa America after the 1-1 draw against Paraguay on Wednesday. He said it would be "crazy" if he and his team-mates failed to advance to the knockout stages of the tournament. 

The Albiceleste sit in last place of Group B with just a single point after two matches, and they now have to beat Qatar to have any hope of advancing. Per ESPN FC, Messi is still confident of a positive outcome:

"Frankly, it's a little frustrating not being able to get the win we need to take the next step. We knew this would be difficult, we're still looking for the best group, for the best performance, to keep growing.

"[The squad] is hurt by the situation because we can't manage to win a game, and we know today was key for us. We know we have to win the next game to advance.

"We know we'll be playing for our lives. It would be crazy if we can't advance from the group stage, when basically three [teams] advance from each group. I have no doubt we'll do it."

The Barcelona man scored a penalty in the second half, pulling his side level after Richard Sanchez had opened the scoring in the first half. Goalkeeper Franco Armani saved a Derlis Gonzalez penalty to salvage a draw.

Colombia have already secured top spot in the group with wins over Argentina and Qatar. Paraguay are second on two points, one ahead of Qatar and Argentina. The top two teams will advance to the next round, along with the two best third-placed teams.

Sports journalist Richard Martin pointed out Group B is likely to provide one of the two best third-placed teams, but Qatar could beat Argentina to that spot:

Argentina will probably make it through if they beat Qatar as Japan and Ecuador are unlikely to get more than three points. HOWEVER: Qatar are actually quite good, and Argentina are not.

— Richard Martin (@RichMartinMcr) June 20, 2019

The Albiceleste arguably looked worse in Wednesday's draw than they did in the 2-0 loss against Colombia, and Goal thought the team did not present a cohesive unit in the draw:

The only moment Argentina looked like a team against Paraguay 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/upRoCG7mYU

— GOAL (@goal) June 20, 2019

Newcastle's Miguel Almiron dominated the midfield pair of Paris Saint-Germain's Leandro Paredes and Real Betis' Giovani Lo Celso, and Argentina's defence never looked comfortable as a result. The back line's top player, Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi, had a nightmare outing that included giving away a penalty:

Otamendi's hair dye has seeped through to his brain, there's no other way to explain that idiotic tackle.

— Daniel Edwards 💚 (@DanEdwardsGoal) June 20, 2019

Argentina will face Qatar in their final group-stage match on Sunday. If they win, they will finish on four points.

Group A's current third-placed team, Venezuela, have two points and are expected to beat Bolivia in their final match, but in Group C, Japan and Ecuador have no points after a single match. They will face Uruguay and Chile, respectively, on Friday, before meeting in their final group-stage match on Monday.

It's only fitting that Argentina's first goal of its 2019 Copa America campaign came from Lionel Messi after video assistant referee awarded him a penalty kick. 

Messi's converting from the spot leveled Argentina with Paraguay 1-1 in the 57th minute and salvaged a necessary result for the Argentines. 

Messi scores Argentina's first goal of the tournament 💪 pic.twitter.com/hKhu0iFI4D

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 20, 2019

After review, officials ruled a handball in the box against Paraguay and awarded Argentina the penalty. If not for that, Paraguay easily should have walked away with all three points. 

Richard Sanchez and Miguel Almiron collaborated to give Paraguay a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute on the counterattack following a free kick for Argentina, then had a golden opportunity to retake the lead with a penalty kick of its own in the 63rd minute.

Paraguay hits Argentina on a counter attack!

Richard Sánchez with the finish ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/lQyPSgP05S

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 20, 2019

While Derlis Gonzalez missed the penalty kick, the point still remains that both chances were the result of Argentine miscues. Paraguay's penalty chance, for example, came thanks to a reckless tackle by Nicolas Otamendi.

Not to mention, the team's general discord led, just as in its opening 2-0 loss to Colombia, to Messi being neutralized in the run of play.  

Argentina stealing a point in this game keeps its hopes to advance out of the group play alive, however meek. The one point still places them tied for last with Qatar behind Paraguay and Colombia, who have two and six points, respectively.

Heading into the final match of group play against Qatar, who managed to come from behind and get a 2-2 draw against Paraguay, Argentina rookie head coach Lionel Scaloni has done little to inspire confidence:

I thought the Matías Suárez for Agüero sub when behind to Colombia was bad & then Scaloni goes and takes off Lautaro for Di María when still needing a goal against Paraguay. Any chance Argentina can sub the manager?

— GOLAZO (@golazoargentino) June 20, 2019

Full time and it ends Argentina 1 Paraguay 1 - another dismal display created some excitement for about 10 minutes and then Scaloni decided to revert back to utter crap

— GOLAZO (@golazoargentino) June 20, 2019

A simple change: two CFs ahead of Messi. More space for the midfield, as Paraguay were forced to defend ten yards deeper. More space for Messi. It was *obvious*. Scaloni apparently didn't see it. Never mind how did he get the job; how did he have a career as a top-flight player?

— Sam Kelly (@HEGS_com) June 20, 2019

Ahead of Wednesday's match with Paraguay, Scaloni told reporters (h/t beIN Sports): "The Copa for us is like it has not started yet. ... We would have liked to have started in another way, but the players are clear that there are two games to play."

One would hope Scaloni believes Copa has begun now, as Argentina is down to its last breath.

Argentina are still alive.

Barely. #CopaAmerica https://t.co/o4cc4qcwjR

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 20, 2019

               

What's Next?

Argentina's final Group B match will be against Qatar, and Paraguay will wrap up against group-leading Colombia. Both matches are slated for Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

Former Real Madrid, Juventus and England boss Fabio Capello has come to the defence of Lionel Messi after Argentina got their Copa America campaign off to a poor start with a 2-0 defeat to Colombia.

The Italian noted the comparisons Messi faces with Albiceleste legend Diego Maradona, who captained the side when they won the 1986 FIFA World Cup, but he said the latter had much more to work with.

He told Radio Marca: "People talk about both, but Maradona's Argentina were stronger and had more quality than Messi's. He's had good players in front of him, but in midfield and behind he has missed a defence, that's the important problem."

"Messi is extraordinary," he added. "He lives thinking about playing and not about business, like for example Neymar does."

Messi is yet to enjoy international success with Argentina outside of a gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games, though helped them reach the 2014 World Cup final and the final of the Copa America in 2015 and 2016, all of which ended in defeat.

He is La Albiceleste's all-time top scorer with 67 goals, but there is a perception that he should have achieved much more given he has had the likes of Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain alongside him during his career.

By contrast, Argentina's success in 1986 is often attributed to Maradona alone, with little credit given to his team-mates.

Journalists Carl Anka and Kevin Beirne discussed the Messi-Maradona debate and agreed that criticisms of the former are unfair:

https://twitter.com/KevBeirne/status/1141281635188510720

Argentina opened the Copa with a poor performance against Colombia, and as football commentator Juan G. Arango and Argentinian football expert Roy Nemer observed, there are significant issues with the team and the coaching that are beyond Messi's control:

Messi does not play for a very good national team. A team that can't recover in the middle and doesn't have the collective work to create much. He can only do su much. Some of you who criticize him need to stop playing so many video games.

— Juan Arango (@JuanG_Arango) June 16, 2019

Substituting Sergio Agüero for Matias Suarez is one of the worst substitutions I have ever seen as an Argentina fan. The team played much better in the second half but my word did Scaloni get the tactics wrong. Worst part is the bench is poor, no game changers on there. Not good.

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) June 16, 2019

Coaxing coherent performances from the team is something successive managers have struggled with.

Lionel Scaloni is the ninth manager Messi has worked under at senior level since his international debut in 2005, and this is his first job as a head coach. He was previously an assistant to predecessor Jorge Sampaoli at Argentina and Sevilla.

The setup off the pitch has inspired little confidence either. Claudio Tapia is the third president the Argentinian Football Association has had since Julio Grondona died in 2014.

According to Arango, as recently as two years ago Messi and his team-mates not only had to pay for their own flights and accommodation while on international duty but also the wages of some AFA employees.

La Albiceleste will continue their Copa America efforts against Paraguay on Wednesday and Qatar on Sunday. The two sides aren't as strong as Colombia, so they might fare a bit better.

However, a run to the final or better will require significant improvement, and despite the influence Messi can have, that is largely out of his hands.  

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has called on the team to "raise their heads" after their defeat to Colombia in the Copa America on Saturday.

The Albiceleste got off to a disappointing start in Brazil, as they were beaten 2-0 in their first game. They toiled for long spells before goals from Roger Martinez and Duvan Zapata secured the three points for Colombia.

After their struggles at the FIFA World Cup last summer, it appears Argentina are set for another challenging major tournament. Following the game, Messi said the team must lift themselves, per Alex Shaw of Goal:

"There are positives to come out of this, we are ready to accept the challenge that we have. There is no time to complain, we have to look ahead, we have to raise our heads and continue, there's still a lot of the tournament left.

"They kept the ball well but didn't create clear opportunities, but when we took a step forwards in the second half they scored a goal. When we were playing at our best, they scored a great goal and it cost us."

Despite their poor performance, Argentina's destiny remains in their own hands, and they will still be favourites to beat Paraguay and Qatar in their remaining Group B games.

Still, this situation is an unusual one for the team, as defeats in their first game of this competition are rare:

0-2 - #Argentina🇦🇷 have lost a Copa America opening game for the third time ever, with this 0-2 against Colombia being their first loss by more than one goal in such games (2-3 against Uruguay in 1919, 1-2 against Bolivia in 1979). Stunned. #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/53LHkEvVXA

— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) June 16, 2019

Premier Sports shared the two Colombia goals, with Argentina's defending leaving much to be desired:

😍 Roger Martinez with a wonder strike for Colombia!

What a goal! 🔥#CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/ZKjeCge8H2

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) June 15, 2019

DUVÁN ZAPATA! 💢

He's only on the pitch 5 minutes! 👊#CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/jrlt3ZWEpy

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) June 15, 2019

On the evidence of this encounter, manager Lionel Scaloni has been unable to find answers to the issues that have blighted this Argentina side for so long.

Colombia's goals illustrated the Albiceleste are still lacking in defensive cohesion and aggression. Further forward, the balance in midfield is skewed, and despite a raft of attacking talent in the squad, there's no fluidity about their work in the final third.

Additionally, the team appears to be devoid of belief. As former United States international Janusz Michallik noted, Argentina don't seem to know how to get back into matches after going behind:

When Argentina goes behind it’s over.

— Janusz Michallik (@JanuszMichallik) June 15, 2019

Football journalist Andy West commented on Messi's performance and the pressure he is under to thrive at international level:

Another international tournament, another poor Argentina team. Lacking cohesion, no control in midfield, defensively weak. Messi played neither particularly well nor particularly badly, but no doubt he'll get blamed again.

— Andy West (@andywest01) June 16, 2019

While Argentina should still have enough to get out of the group stage, barring some stunning individual displays from their skipper, it's hard to see them making a deep run at the tournament. There are too many problems lingering in the side that even Messi's brilliance can't cover up.

Messi is still on the hunt for his first major piece of silverware with Argentina. He's played in three major finals for his country—at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the last two Copas—but lost them all. Based on Saturday's showing, it would be a surprise if the Albiceleste made it that far again.