Argentina cannot 'fall asleep' again - Messi
Lionel Messi knows Argentina can ill-afford a repeat of the sloppiness that saw them give up a two-goal lead against Paraguay.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/X2BCqVT5PmPDmwNNAhsNvB.jpg)
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has warned his side to sharpen up when they face Uruguay in their second game at the Copa America.
Gerardo Martino's men looked set to open their Group B campaign with a routine win on Saturday as they opened up a two-goal lead against Paraguay through Sergio Aguero and a Messi penalty.
However, a fine strike from Nelson Valdez gave Paraguay hope and Lucas Barrios then grabbed a 90th-minute equaliser following a spectacular period of end-to-end play that saw both teams pass up chances.
"We played well in the first half, but we fell asleep in the second," said Messi.
"We should have put the game to bed when they came on to us. In the first half we completely dominated possession, but in the second Paraguay took the ball away from us.
"Obviously it's frustrating to be held to a draw after being 2-0 up, but we have to move on, think about Uruguay and improve. We have to keep the ball a bit more and manage the game."
Argentina face Uruguay, who top the group following a 1-0 win over Jamaica, in La Serena on Tuesday.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack