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Copa America roundup: Paraguay earn draw with Argentina, Uruguay beat Jamaica

Xinhua, June 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

Second-half substitute Lucas Barrios scored in stoppage time to earn Paraguay a 2-2 draw against Argentina in their opening Copa America Group B match on Saturday.

Inspired by four-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, Argentina showed why they were pre-tournament favorites by racing to a 2-0 lead after 36 minutes.

But Ramon Diaz's team netted twice in the final half hour in Chile's northern city of La Serena to show they also cannot be discounted as contenders for football's oldest continental trophy.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero gave Argentina the perfect start at Estadio La Portada when he capitalized on a dreadful Miguel Samudio error.

Under pressure from an onrushing Messi, Samudio's miscued backpass allowed Aguero to easily round goalkeeper Antony Silva and shoot into an empty net.

Samudio was again at fault seven minutes later when his awkward challenge brought down Angel di Maria after Messi's jinking run and pass. Referee Wilmar Roldan pointed to the spot and Messi duly converted the penalty to make it 2-0.

Nelson Valdez pulled a goal back on the hour with a stunning 30-yard strike following Nestor Ortigoza's assist.

The equalizer came after more good work from Ortigoza, whose free-fick was nodded down by Paulo da Silva and lashed into the net by Barrios.

In Saturday's other Group B match, Cristian Rodriguez's second-half strike gave Uruguay a 1-0 victory over a surprisingly resolute Jamaica in Chile's northern port city of Antofagasta.

Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez set up Rodriguez with a headed pass after a Nicolas Lodeiro free-kick.

Jamaica defended admirably for most of the match but offered little threat in attack.

Their best chance came in the 85th minute when Kemar Lawrence's free-kick just outside the box was kept out by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

Uruguay, the defending Copa America champions, were again without star forward Luis Suarez, who is still serving a suspension for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during last year's World Cup.

Before the match Suarez took to Twitter to show his support for his teammates.

"Everyone in Uruguay is behind you... Vamos Uruguay, VAMOSSS ," he wrote on the social media platform. Endi