Argentina powered into the Copa América final on a night when everything appeared to finally click in attack. Paraguay were the unfortunate victims as Lionel Messi took the role of tormentor-in-chief, alongside his new deputy Javier Pastore and La Albiceleste enjoyed the most comfortable of semi-final victories. There were improved performances all over the pitch so let’s take a look at how the whole side got on….

Sergio Romero – 6

Another pretty quiet night for Argentina’s number one with Paraguay posing little goal threat over the course of the 90 minutes. Lucas Barrios’ goal just before half time was not the fault of Romero and was struck well enough but wasn’t too far from his body and with a stronger hand he may have kept it out.

Pablo Zabaleta – 7

Zabaleta was not exactly given much of a test down Paraguay’s left but this left the Manchester City full-back to maraud down the right. The 30-year-old was always an available option on the over-lap and delivered some decent balls into the penalty box.

Martín Demechelis – 6.5

Stepping in at the last minute due to Ezequiel Garay’s stomach problems, Demechelis may have just played his last match for Argentina. However, the veteran centre-back proved just what an able back-up he is, as he did in Brazil. There were a couple of nervy moments but on the whole Demechelis did what was asked of him.

Nicolás Otamendi – 5

It was not quite the level of performance that Otamendi has given throughout the tournament but thankfully it didn’t matter. The in-demand defender was at fault for the goal after his stupid clipped pass into midfield directly led to Lucas Barrios running clear and pulling one back at a time when Argentina suddenly looked vulnerable.

Marcos Rojo – 7

Probably Rojo’s best game in the Copa América as he did all that was asked of him defensively but provided an outlet down the left. His goal opened the scoring and although it wasn’t the prettiest it was typically agressive and determined play.

Lucas Biglia – 7

Despite a silly early booking for dissent, Biglia gave another controlled performance in central midfield. Always close to the play, Biglia provides a perfect foil to Mascherano but moves play forward with his astute passing. His first-time pass into Pastore for the build-up to the third goal was vital and is typical of the unnoticed work that the Lazio man does in the centre.

Javier Mascherano – 7

El Jefecito may just have been a yellow card away from missing the final but there was no drop in his level of performance. The vital shield in front of the defence, Mascherano quietly went about regaining possession and starting moves with that initial pass. He was withdrawn late on in place of Fernando Gago but will be a vital presence against Chile.

Javier Pastore – 9

Any of those foolish enough to question Pastore’s role in the starting eleven must surely have to admit their error after a simply stunning performance from the elegant enganche. In partnership with Lionel Messi, their interplay was at times breathtaking and it was difficult to envisage many sides being able to contain them. Pastore’s burst of pace and powerful finish to score the second and his perfectly weighted pass for Di María to slip in the third gave Argentina the end-product that they had been craving.

Lionel Messi – 9

It is only a result of Messi’s extraordinary own-standards that performances like this get lost in the norm of thinking that is what is expected but make no mistake the Argentina captain delivered the type of performance that almost all other footballers could only dream of. Paraguay had no answer to Messi as they naively allowed him to drop deep and pick up the ball unchallenged at times. The few times a player did get close enough to the world’s best player it inevitably ended in a free-kick and although the Barcelona man did not get on the scoresheet it was a match winning performance. His three assists illustrate this but the crowning glory was the outrageous run which left a heap of Paraguayan defenders on the deck before Di María eventually tapped in the fourth.

Sergio Agüero – 7

It was a relatively quiet night for Agüero but he led the line well and like all good strikers when the opportunity presented itself he took his chance superbly. For the second time in this tournament, a quick burst of acceleration provided just enough space for the Manchester City forward to thump a bullet header into the back of the net.

Ángel Di María – 8.5

Di María produced a timely reminder of just what he brings to the national side with two goals and an assist after a lacklustre performance against Colombia had seen some question his place in the starting eleven. Full of running, Angelito stretches opposition defences like no other player in the squad and he capped off this match with two well-taken goals. The Mancheter United player later turned provider with an excellent cross for Agüero to head Argentina’s fifth.

Substitutions

Éver Banega – 6

A brief second half performance from Banega produced little of note with the game already won. Pastore has cemented himself in the starting eleven for the final but Banega has proved himself to be an outstanding midfield deputy during the tournament.

Fernando Gago – 6

The first minutes in the tournament for Fernando Gago as he replaced Javier Mascherano with less than fifteen minutes remaining. Unnoticeable at this stage of the game.

Gonzalo Higuaín – 7

Only a few minutes for Hinguaín but the Napoli striker still managed to notch his second goal of the tournament. Messi provided the assist despite being on the ground and Pipita smashed the ball into the back of the net.

Coach

Gerardo Martino – 8

Credit where it is due, Tata Martino has come in for a great deal of criticism since taking over from Alejandro Sabella but last night his new look side finally clicked. It is Martino who brought Pastore into the side and with Messi dropping deep and creating space for the Paris St Germain midfielder the two were able to wreak havoc. Before last night the goals had been lacking and Martino maintained that this was down to bad luck more than anything else. Time will tell if that is indeed the case but putting six past your rivals in a semi-final is a decent way to silence those critics at least for a while. There are still question marks over the defence and certainly Paraguay did not provide the sternest of tests but Martino deserves praise for his sides performance yesterday.