It was a 3-0 defeat to Uruguay in the opening game of the first group stage that forced Argentina’s dramatic last day qualification for the final against Brazil but Pablo Aimar’s side were able to exact revenge on Friday evening in Lima with a hard fought yet deserved victory.
A typically tough opening 45 minutes between the Rio Platense rivals was shaded by Argentina and it took only a couple of minutes after the restart to take advantage.
A free-kick swung into the Uruguayan penalty area from the right bobbled loose and captain Juan Sforza reacted to poke the past Lukas González and into the roof of the net.
Así marcó Juan Sforza el 1-0 de @Argentina sobre @Uruguay #VamosLosPibes 🇦🇷pic.twitter.com/OqK8s1ohJJ
— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) April 6, 2019
Argentina should probably have extended that lead and only a superb save from González denied Lanús striker Juan Krilanovich.
Chile’s 3-2 win over Peru a little later saw Argentina drop to second but Monday’s meeting with Chile could have a huge say in where the title ends up. With three games remaining, Aimar’s youngsters still have work to do in order to secure World Cup qualification but there is perhaps an even greater prize.
Argentina: Rocco Ríos Novo; Kevin Lomónaco, Alexis Flores, Bruno Amione, Julián Aude; Luciano Vera (Matías Godoy ’45), Cristian Medina (Matías Palacios ’60), Juan Sforza, Matías Palacios; Exequiel Zeballos (Luciano Ferreyra ’74), Juan Krilanovich
golazo argentino 