**Messi Quiet, Argentina Edges Paraguay: Player Grades**

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Post on Nov 15, 2024

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Messi Quiet, Argentina Edges Paraguay: Player Grades

Argentina secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paraguay in their latest Copa América clash, but it wasn't a performance that will go down in the history books. Lionel Messi, despite his usual brilliance, remained relatively quiet, highlighting the struggles the Albiceleste faced against a stubborn Paraguayan defense. Let's delve into the individual performances and assign grades for each player.

Argentina:

Emiliano Martínez (8/10): The hero of the night! Martinez was the difference-maker, producing a string of crucial saves, including a spectacular penalty stop in the second half. His commanding presence and decisiveness were invaluable in securing the three points.

Nahuel Molina (6/10): Molina provided good support on the right flank, offering both offensive and defensive contributions. However, his final ball lacked precision, and he struggled to make a significant impact in the final third.

Cristian Romero (7/10): A rock in defense. Romero was dominant in the air, winning countless aerial duels, and his timely interventions were key in preventing Paraguay from finding a breakthrough. His leadership and calmness on the pitch were evident throughout the game.

Nicolás Otamendi (6/10): Otamendi put in a solid performance, making vital tackles and clearances. However, his passing lacked accuracy at times, and he sometimes found himself caught out of position.

Marcos Acuña (7/10): Acuña was a constant threat down the left flank, creating numerous chances with his pace and trickery. He provided the assist for the winning goal and was arguably Argentina's most dangerous attacker.

Rodrigo De Paul (6/10): De Paul struggled to impose himself in the midfield battle. He lacked the usual dynamism and creativity, and his passing was often inaccurate. However, he contributed defensively, providing crucial interceptions and tackles.

Leandro Paredes (5/10): Paredes struggled to find his rhythm and was unable to dictate the tempo of the game. His passing was often misplaced, and he lacked the precision and composure required to unlock the Paraguayan defense.

Ángel Di María (6/10): Di María showed glimpses of his brilliance, but his performance was inconsistent. He struggled to get into the game, particularly in the first half. However, he created a few dangerous chances and came close to scoring.

Lionel Messi (6/10): A surprising performance by Messi's standards. He wasn't his usual dominant self, and his impact was limited by Paraguay's disciplined defense. He had a few moments of brilliance but wasn't able to decisively influence the game.

Lautaro Martínez (7/10): Martinez led the line with energy and intensity, constantly pressuring the Paraguayan defenders. He scored the winning goal with a clinical finish and was a constant threat throughout the match.

Substitutes:

Giovani Lo Celso (6/10): Lo Celso injected some much-needed creativity into the midfield, but he didn't have enough time to significantly alter the game's flow.

Paulo Dybala (6/10): Dybala provided a fresh impetus in attack but was unable to score.

Alejandro Gómez (N/A): Came on too late to make a significant impact.

Paraguay:

Anthony Silva (7/10): Silva produced a heroic performance, making numerous crucial saves, including a penalty stop from Lionel Messi. He single-handedly kept Paraguay in the game.

Robert Rojas (7/10): A strong and resolute performance from Rojas. He was a constant threat in the air, winning several aerial duels, and his tackling was consistently strong.

Gustavo Gómez (6/10): Gómez provided a solid defensive foundation, consistently snuffing out Argentine attacks. He was disciplined and reliable throughout the match.

Omar Alderete (6/10): Alderete was solid defensively but lacked the attacking threat to provide a real challenge to the Argentine defense.

Santiago Arzamendia (6/10): Arzamendia put in a solid performance on the left flank, providing both defensive and offensive contributions. He was a constant threat with his pace and energy.

Mathías Villasanti (5/10): Villasanti struggled to make a significant impact in midfield. His passing was often inaccurate, and he lacked the creativity and vision to unlock the Argentine defense.

Richard Sánchez (6/10): Sánchez provided a strong physical presence in midfield, winning tackles and covering ground effectively. He was a key player in Paraguay's defensive organization.

Miguel Almirón (6/10): Almirón was a constant threat in the attacking third, with his pace and directness causing problems for the Argentine defense. However, his final ball lacked accuracy.

Ángel Romero (6/10): Romero provided a creative spark for Paraguay. He had a few dangerous runs and created chances for his teammates. He was a constant threat with his pace and dribbling skills.

Braian Samudio (6/10): Samudio made a positive impact in the attacking third, providing dangerous crosses and creating chances for his teammates.

Substitutes:

Gastón Giménez (5/10): Giménez entered the game late and wasn't able to have a significant impact.

Cristian Riveros (N/A): Came on too late to make an impact.

Conclusion:

Argentina's victory over Paraguay was a testament to their resilience and determination. While they were not at their best, they managed to find a way to win thanks to a crucial penalty save from Emiliano Martínez and Lautaro Martinez's decisive goal. However, Lionel Messi's quiet performance suggests that Argentina will need to find a more consistent and potent offensive force if they want to go all the way in this Copa América.