The final matchday in Group B saw two entertaining matches played out, as Paraguay faced defending champion Uruguay, followed by competition favourite Argentina meeting Jamaica later in the evening.
Two-time champion Paraguay drew 1-1 with Óscar Tabárez’s Uruguay in La Serena, courtesy of first half goals from young centre-back José Giménez and Paraguay veteran Lucas Barrios. Meanwhile, Argentina could only defeat Jamaica 1-0 in Viña del Mar thanks to Gonzalo Higuaín’s early goal, despite dominating the match. The results see Argentina (1st), Paraguay (2nd) and Uruguay (3rd) all qualify for the quarter-final stage of the competition ahead of bottom-placed Jamaica.
The day’s opening match saw Ramón Díaz’ Paraguay take on defending champion Uruguay at the Estadio La Portada in La Serena, in a match Uruguay needed to obtain at least a point from in order to qualify for the knockout stages. In a somewhat scrappy first half bereft of clear-cut chances, it would take a bullet header from young Atlético Madrid defender José Giménez to break the deadlock, firing Uruguay into the lead on the half hour mark. Uruguay looked more threatening after taking the lead, but the ever-resilient Paraguayans responded a minute before the break when Barrios’ header found the net to the send the two sides into half time locked at 1-1.
Uruguay piled the pressure on Los Guaraníes after the restart, as La Celeste sought to regain their lead. The loss of San Lorenzo central midfielder Néstor Ortigoza midway through the second half hampered Paraguay’s chances, as Uruguay continued to have the upper hand, but saw chances go begging through Edinson Cavani and substitute Christian Stuani as the match entered it’s final stages. Impressive Paraguayan youngster Derlis González nearly netted the decisive goal for Paraguay in the closing moments when he forced Fernando Muslera into action, but it was not enough to prevent both sides sharing the spoils, as the two sides’ 1-1 draw sees them both progress to the knockout stages.
The evening’s other game saw 14-time champion Argentina meet competition debutants Jamaica at the Estadio Sausalito in Viña del Mar, in Lionel Messi’s 100th game for his country at the age of just 27. The game began as most had anticipated, with Tata Martino’s Argentina racing out of the blocks, and it took it only 10 minutes to hit the front, when Gonzalo Higuaín’s composed finish saw him break his lengthy scoring drought for the Albiceleste. The Napoli striker almost doubled Argentina’s lead eleven minutes later, only to see his looped effort over the onrushing Miller bounce off of the crossbar. Ángel Di María’s solo effort was unlucky not to find the net a few minutes later, as Argentina entered half time with a only a one-goal lead to show for its efforts.
Such was Argentina’s dominance in the opening 45 minutes, the Albiceleste enjoyed an astonishing 82% of possession, and it was a similar story after the restart. It seemed a minor miracle how Argentina was not able to extend its lead, after Di María’s blistering drive from outside the box rattled the crossbar, before substitute Roberto Pereyra missed a golden chance minutes later when he screwed his shot wide of the post. Jamaica looked more impressive towards the end of the match, but was unable to breach the Albiceleste‘s defence, as the Argentinians eventually ran out 1-0 winners. Jamaica leaves the competition without being disgraced, only conceding three goals in as many games, while Argentina’s win sees it clinch top spot and qualification for the quarter-finals, albeit without Pablo Zabaleta who’s second yellow card of the tournament sees him suspended.
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