El Kun saves Argentina the blushes

Sergio “Kun” Aguero, deemed fit for only a spot on the bench by coach Batista for the Copa America, redeemed himself and proved to be the saviour for Argentina, coming off the bench to score a wonderful equalising goal. Sergio Batista chose the attacking trio of Messi, Lavezzi and Tevez ahead of Aguero, but the front three proved to be ineffective. The match ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw for the home side.

Argentina dominated the first half, as expected, but failed to hit the back of the net. Tevez, Lavezzi and Cambiasso all missed chances that should have gone onto the scorecard.

And just after the half time, Bolivia stunned the home crowd and pretty much everyone who were watching by going ahead in the 47th minute. Edivaldo Rojas, a Brazilian-born, managed to somehow connect and push the ball past the line from a corner. Though it was no beauty, it did not matter and the Bolivians took it without complaint.

Though the trident of Lavezzi, Messi and Carlos Tevez are hugely talented individually, they were ineffective and failed to combine to give the advantage to the hosts. Lavezzi particularly seemed to be out of cool after the Bolivians were ahead, spurning many chances from the right.

And after Batista made an attacking and positive change by taking off Cambiasso and Real Madrid star Angel di Maria coming on, things started looking better. But not until Lavezzi was taken off for “El Kun” did fortune change for the Argentines.

In the 75th minute, just five minutes after his introduction, Aguero hit a beautiful volley into the top of the net, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance to stop it. Angel di Maria crossed from down the left flank and Burdisso chested it down for Aguero, who confidently hit it into the net.

Though a few hasty chances were produced in the final minutes by Argentina, it did not amount to anything. With Aguero keen to change clubs, new suitors will definitely come after watching his terrific cameo in the first Copa America match.

Tags: Argentina, Bolivia, Copa America 2011, Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, Football, La Plata Stadium, Sergio Kun Agüero, South American Championship