Argentina lucky to be alive at Copa America, says Lionel Scaloni

Argentina is only just alive at the Copa America and Lionel Scaloni, the team's head coach, accepts it is fortunate.

Lionel Scaloni admitted Argentina was "lucky" to still be alive in the Copa America after a 1-1 draw with Paraguay on Wednesday .

Lionel Messi's second-half penalty cancelled out Richard Sanchez's goal in the Group B clash in Belo Horizonte. But Argentina also needed goalkeeper Franco Armani, who saved a spot-kick from Derlis Gonzalez to earn his side its first point of the tournament.

Scaloni, whose team is facing a group-stage exit and need a win over Qatar on Sunday, said Argentina was fortunate. "The solution is that we have to win. We are lucky to be alive," he told a news conference.

"We have to look more like the second half, but be more balanced and thus be able to manage the game."

@CopaAmerica

Así convirtió Lionel Messi para @Argentinapic.twitter.com/mNDt0sLOc4

— Selección Argentina (@Argentina) June 20, 2019

 

The introduction of Sergio Aguero at half-time led to a more dangerous Argentina as the forward played alongside Messi and Lautaro Martinez. But an unhappy Martinez was substituted in the 67th minute with what was later described as a glute injury. "I don't know if it was the best version [before Martinez came off], but without a doubt it was the most dangerous," Scaloni said.

"Sergio entered very well."

Argentina remains bottom of the group on one point, behind Colombia (six), Paraguay (two) and Qatar (one) ahead of Sunday's games.