Argentina under-17s appear to have found form at just the right time in the South American championships as captain Tomás Conechny led from the front and fired Los Pibes to a 4-1 win over tournament hosts Paraguay. Following victory over Brazil, Argentina find themselves top of the final round table as they only side to have won both their matches.

Paraguay had not been beaten in the first round en route to topping group A and given Miguel Angel Lemme’s young side had suffered defeat twice, this match in Asunción was expected to provide a stern test.

However, it took just three minutes for Argentina to lead and it was stand-out performer and captain, Tomás Conechny who volleyed them in front. The San Lorenzo attacker spun on the edge of the penalty area to smash a left foot volley in off the post.

Midway through the first half, Conechny turned provider after he burst from midfield before clipping a pass over the Paraguayan defence for left back, Luís Olivera. The River Plate defender pulled the ball across goal and after Matías Roskopf miscued the first effort the ball fell to Julián Chicco to tap the loose ball into the net.

When Argentina were reduced to ten men in the second half after Facundo Pardo was shown a second yellow card and Sebastián Ferreira headed a goal back for the hosts, Lemme’s boys might have been expected to wilt under the pressure but once more Conechny proved too much for Los Guaraníes. His hold up play and vision to cut the ball to the edge of the area allowed Germán Berterame the opportunity to stroke the ball past Óscar Zaracho and give Argentina some breathing space.

In stoppage time, Conechny added his second and the pick of the goals as he ran from half way before firing a low, left footed shot into the corner. It is the captain’s fifth goal of the tournament leaving him a goal behind Brazil’s Leandro but his contribution cannot be understated. Similar to the under-20s captain and former San Lorenzo attacker, Ángel Correa, Conechny is providing the goals and also the guile in the attack and will be crucial if Argentina are to follow the lead of the under-20s and be crowned champions.

Argentina  4 – 1  Paraguay

Argentina  4 – 1  Paraguay