Argentina and Bolivia Draw Opener

In the opening match of 2011 Copa America, the Argentine national team, one of the favorite to the title, only tied with Bolivia by 1-1. The game took place late on Friday, July 1st, in the stadium Unico Ciudad de la Plata. The host team allowed the first goal, but managed to get their goal and prevent a greater harm. The striker Agüero came in the second half and pulled out a draw in the opening of the Group A.

In a very truncated first half, the Argentine team failed to break through the blockade of Bolivia. In the first 15 minutes, Argentina was very offensive and tried to pull a goal with Lionel Messi. The Argentinian playmaker had a few chances, but failed to make to complete. In the best chance of the first half, Messi, at speed, passed to Carlos Tevez, who finished well in the corner and forced the goalkeeper Carlos Arias to make a great save. Carlos Arias also had to work hard when Cambiasso appeared in his front obligating him to save beautifully.

The second half began with an Argentina more offensive, with the substitution of Di Maria in place of Cambiasso. However, who scored the first goal was Bolivia. After a corner kick, Edivaldo Rojas scored a stunning goal with his the heel, thus making the first goal of the 2011 Copa America. With the unfavorable 1-0 on the scoreboard, the hostess had to do even more to try the equalizer goal. At 58’, Di Maria made a beautiful play and was tackled before scoring. Then, Messi kicked and the Bolivian goalkeeper made another major intervention and avoided the tie.

At 65’, Marcelo Moreno came face to face with the goalkeeper Romero, tried to dribble and the goalkeeper made a miracle, avoiding the goal twice. The answer came with Di Maria, who at a great counter attack almost tied. At 70’, Batista putted Aguero and took Lavezzi out. In the following move, Javier Mascherano almost equalized after a beautiful shot from outside the area. With the followed chances, the Argentine crowd would not stop pushing the team to attack, and it worked. Kun Aguero scored a beautiful goal with a volley and tied the game at 75’. After that, Argentina took control of the match.

In the final minutes, Argentina went all out for the turn over, but without results. The first match of the Copa America finished tied by 1-1, even with a good performance of Argentina. Now, Bolivia faces Costa Rica in the next Thursday, 7, in Jujuy. Argentina, which should have a lot of pressure from the supporters now, will face Colombia on Wednesday, 6, in Santa Fe, needing the victory.

ARGENTINA 1 v 1 BOLIVIA

Place: Estádio Único Ciudad de la Plata, Ciudad de la Plata, Argentina

Date/time: 01/07/2011 - 21h45

Referee: Roberto Silveira - Uruguay

Assistants: Miguel Nievas - Uruguay / Luis Alvarado - Ecuador

GOALS: Edivaldo Rojas -BOL 47' / Sergio Aguero-ARG 75'

ARGENTINA: 23-Sergio Romero, 8-Javier Zanetti, 4-Nicolás Burdisso, 6-Gabriel Milito, 17-Marcos Rojo, 14-Javier Mascherano, 5-Esteban Cambiasso (7-Ángel Di María, 46'), 19-Ever Banega, 11-Carlos Tevez,21-Ezequiel Lavezzi (16-Sergio Aguero, 70') and 10-Lionel Messi. Coach: Sergio Batista.

Yellow Cars: Carlos Tevez (37’), Ezequiel Lavezzi (54’)

BOLIVIA: 1-Carlos Arias, 4-Lorgio Alvarez, 3-Luis Gutiérrez, 5-Ronald Rivero,16-Ronald Raldes, 6-Walter Flores, 15-Jaime Robles, 21-Jhasmany Campos(17-Juan Carlos Arce, 79’), 10-Joselito Vaca(19-José Chávez, 63’),, 9-Marcelo Moreno and 7-Edivaldo Rojas(22-Rudy Cardozo, 89’). Coach: Gustavo Quinteros.

Yellow Cards: Walter Flores (34’), Luis Gutiérrez (38’), José Chávez (73’), Ronald Rivero (87’)