The 2019 Copa America did not start well for Lionel Messi and Argentina, who were defeated 2-0 by Colombia at the Fonte Nova on Saturday. A very physical game was dominated by the Albiceleste in the second half, but Colombia were brutally efficient on the counter and picked up a big opening night win.
Argentina had the better moments overall when it came to possession, but none of their shots really felt like they were going in. Messi missed a tricky header inside the box when it was 0-0, but then it was more long-range shots that didn’t look all that great, aside from a Leandro Paredes effort.
Los Cafateros adjusted to the game brilliantly and went for their goals on the counter, and that’s how they got both, each from a substitute. Roger Martinez got the winner after coming in for the injured Luis Muriel, and he took it brilliantly with a right-footed blast that Franco Armani had no chance of stopping:
The final whistle came to end a bad night for Messi and Argentina. They played really well in the first 30 minutes of the second half, but couldn’t convert their chances and had their defensive issues exposed once again. Their final two group stage games are going to be easier than this one, but they did not prove against Colombia that they’re ready to win the tournament.
#CA2019Telemundo ¡Señor gol! se mandó @rogermartinezt9 y ya tiene ganando a #Colombia 1-0 sobre #Argentina pic.twitter.com/r7Zq3Yx1UH
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 15, 2019
#CA2019Telemundo ¡Qué jugada de gol! gran asistencia de @rogermartinezt9 para que Duvan Zapata definiera como "Killer" y @FCFSeleccionCol sella su triunfo ante la @Argentina pic.twitter.com/loFYMpHYLn
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 15, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdUTas7YEOU