Copa America 2015: Messi frustrated as Argentina falls asleep

Messi's men blew a two-goal lead, drawing 2-2 in their opening Group B match of the South American championship in Chile, while titleholder Uruguay won 1-0 against guest nation Jamaica.

'We played well in the first half, but we fell asleep in the second,' said Messi, who scored a 36th-minute penalty soon after Sergio Aguero's opener in La Serena.

Nelson Valdez reduced the deficit from long range on the hour mark and substitute Lucas Barrios snatched an equalizer in the final minute of regulation time.



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'We should have put the game to bed,' said captain Messi, who came into the tournament after winning a treble of titles with European and Spanish champion Barcelona.

'In the first half we completely dominated possession, but in the second Paraguay took the ball away from us.

'Obviously it's frustrating to be held to a draw after being 2-0 up, but we have to move on, think about Uruguay and improve. We have to keep the ball a bit more and manage the game.'

Uruguay beat its larger neighbor Argentina on penalties in the quarterfinals on the way to winning the last Copa in 2011, but could only reach the round of 16 of the 2014 World Cup -- where Messi's side lost in the final.

When they contested the World Cup qualifiers, Argentina won the home match 3-2 but lost 3-2 in Uruguay.

Veteran midfielder Cristian Rodriguez netted the only goal against Jamaica in Antofagasta, as the Caribbean side acquitted itself well on debut in the tournament.

Mexico is the other guest nation, making its ninth appearance. It drew 0-0 in its Group A opener against Bolivia on Friday.

On Sunday, Venezuela caused a shock by beating 2014 World Cup quarterfinalist Colombia 1-0 in Rancagua thanks to a 60th-minute header from striker Jose Salomon Rondon, who plays for Russian champion Zenit St. Petersburg.

Brazil was to take on Peru in the second Group C match in Temuco.

Europe

In Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifiers, titleholder Spain stayed second in Group C with a 1-0 win in Belarus. David Silva scored the only goal at the end of the first half as coach Vicente del Bosque celebrated 100 games in charge.

Slovakia has a three-point advantage after six of 10 games, having beaten Macedonia 2-1 at home, while third-placed Ukraine kept alive its hopes of a top-two finish by beating Luxembourg 3-0.

England stayed six points clear at the top of Group E, winning 3-2 in Slovenia thanks to a late goal from captain Wayne Rooney and a spectacular double from midfielder Jack Wilshere.

Second-placed Switzerland also came from behind to win 2-1 in Lithuania, as Xherdan Shaqiri netted an 84th-minute decider.

Austria maintained a four-point lead in Group G as striker Marc Janko scored the only goal away to third-placed Russia.

Sweden moved four points above Russia as star forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted twice in a 3-1 win at home to Montenegro.

Africa

In 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, Emmanuel Adebayor scored both goals as Togo beat Liberia 2-1 in their Group A opener on Sunday.

Ghana, the 2015 runner-up, thrashed Mauritius 7-1 in Group H, while Egypt beat Tanzania 3-0 in Group G and Cameroon snatched a late 1-0 win over Mauritania in Group M.

Defending champion Ivory Coast drew 0-0 in a friendly away to Gabon.

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Ghana, the 2015 runner-up, thrashed Mauritius 7-1 in Group H, while Egypt beat Tanzania 3-0 in Group G and Cameroon snatched a late 1-0 win over Mauritania in Group M. Africa Messi's men blew a two-goal lead, drawing 2-2 in their opening Group B match of the South American championship in Chile, while titleholder Uruguay won 1-0 against guest nation Jamaica. Europe Austria maintained a four-point lead in Group G as striker Marc Janko scored the only goal away to third-placed Russia. 'In the first half we completely dominated possession, but in the second Paraguay took the ball away from us. Brazil was to take on Peru in the second Group C match in Temuco. Africa 'We played well in the first half, but we fell asleep in the second,' said Messi, who scored a 36th-minute penalty soon after Sergio Aguero's opener in La Serena. 'Obviously it's frustrating to be held to a draw after being 2-0 up, but we have to move on, think about Uruguay and improve. We have to keep the ball a bit more and manage the game.' Nelson Valdez reduced the deficit from long range on the hour mark and substitute Lucas Barrios snatched an equalizer in the final minute of regulation time. Veteran midfielder Cristian Rodriguez netted the only goal against Jamaica in Antofagasta, as the Caribbean side acquitted itself well on debut in the tournament. Veteran midfielder Cristian Rodriguez netted the only goal against Jamaica in Antofagasta, as the Caribbean side acquitted itself well on debut in the tournament.

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