Paraguay salvaged an unlikely 2-2 draw with Argentina in Group B of the Copa America this evening.
Lucas Barrios scored a dramatic last-minute equaliser to rescue a point for his side, who trailed 2-0 at the break.
Argentina were excellent in the first period and led thanks to goals from Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi.
However, Nelson Valdez and Barrios scored in a breathless second half to earn Paraguay a point.
Relive all of the action below with Sports Mole's live text commentary.
Hello and welcome to live text commentary of Argentina vs. Paraguay in the Copa America. Lionel Messi's team are the favourites to win the competition, and they will be looking to get off to a fast start tonight. Kickoff is in just under half-an-hour.
It's about time that this golden generation of Argentine superstars finally landed a major trophy. Lionel Messi and co may have won many club honours, but international success has evaded them for 22 years. Can they win their 15th Copa America title this year?
As expected Gerardo Martino has picked a formidable XI to face his former side tonight. If this goes to form, then Paraguay could be in for a long and painful 90 minutes.
TEAM NEWS: So Martino has gone for a 4-3-3 formation, with Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria up front. There are also starts for Javier Mascherano and Marcos Rojo. Meanwhile, veteran striker Roque Santa Cruz starts for Paraguay.
ARGENTINA: Romero, Roncaglia, Garay, Otamendi, Rojo, Banega, Mascherano, Pastore, Messi, Di Maria, Aguero.
PARAGUAY: Silva, Caceres, da Silva, Aguilar, Samudio, Ortigoza, Caceres, Ortiz, Bobadilla, Valdez, Santa Cruz.
Argentina have named a host of stars in their side, but Paraguay have gone for an unfamiliar XI. Coach Ramon Diaz is keen to use this tournament as an audition for his squad as he prepares for the opening round of World Cup qualifying games this summer.
Paraguay failed to qualify for the last World Cup, and they have been in serious decline since they finished as runners up in this tournament four years ago. Their manager that day? Gerado Martino, Argentina's boss.
The teams are joined in Group B by Uruguay and Jamaica, who met earlier today. The defending champions emerged as the winners, but only by a slender 1-0 margin.
The teams are in the tunnel, and the crowds go crazy when they catch a glimpse. Can Argentina send out an emphatic message on day three of this year's tournament? We're 10 minutes away from finding out.
Messi and Santa Cruz lead their men out and they line up to face the TV cameras. This can mean just one thing: It's time for the national anthems.
Paraguay's players look proud as they shout out their anthem. But now it's the turn of the Argentines...
It's fair to say that the majority of the crowd are in white and blue and they're so loud that they drown out the music of their anthem. Brilliant stuff.
Our referee today is a Mr. Wilmar Roldan, who refereed at the World Cup last summer. He's about to get us underway in sunny Chile. Let's prey for goals and entertainment!
KICKOFF! Argentina roll the ball to right and get us underway at the Estadio La Portada.
It's a comfortable start for Argentina, who move the ball around nicely, encouraging all of their players to get a touch.
A couple of free kicks go Paraguay's way, and they almost force a corner down the left-hand side. They certainly look up for the game!
SHOT! First shot of the day comes from Argentina at the end of a sweeping move. A delightful ball from Messi finds Di Maria on the left. His first-time ball into the box is cleared, but only as far as Rojo who blazes over from 30 yards.
CHANCE! What a great opportunity that was for Argentina! Di Maria swings a perfect cross into the box, but Nicolas Otamendi heads over from 10 yards. He'll be disappointed with that!
Our friend Mr. Roldan likes his whistle. I think he's blown it 10 times in the opening eight minutes!
Argentina have been camped in Paraguay's half so far, moving the ball around with ease. La Albirroja look stretched in midfield already.
It's another free kick in a dangerous position for Argentina, and Messi sends in another wicked delivery. Paraguay scramble it away, but this has been too comfortable so far.
Brilliant from Messi! He picks the ball up 30 yards from goal and glides past a couple of limp challenges, before clipping a perfectly weighted pass out to the left for Di Maria. The winger lofts a ball into the middle, and Paraguay are forced to concede a corner.
CLOSE! Argentina come within inches of finding the net as they use the wings to penetrate Paraguay's defence. Rojo's low cross eventually falls to Mascherano, whose shot is diverted inches wide by the outstretched boot of Messi.
Martino's men will be happy with their start, but frustrated that they have yet to score.
SHOT! Paraguay finally cross the half-way line and earn their first shot on goal. A mazy run from Bobadilla gets them to the edge of the box, but Roque Santa Cruz's shot is blocked.
CHANCE! Brilliant defending from Paraguay's left-back Miguel Samudio, who prevents an almost certain goal. Pastore plays a perfect through ball for Aguero, but just as he is about to pull the trigger, he is denied by a last-ditch tackle. Oustanding football from both Pastore and Samudio.
YELLOW CARD: Mr. Roldan has seen enough cynical fouls from Paraguay's defence and books Pablo Aguilar for a tackle off the ball on Aguero.
SHOT! Brilliant again from Argentina, as Messi and Aguero almost create the opening goal. A chipped ball into the box finds Messi, whose first-time flick finds the run of Aguero behind him. The Manchester City forward takes a heavy touch though and can only produce a weak shot on goal.
GOAL! ARGENTINA 1-0 PARAGUAY (AGUERO)
GOAL: Finally we have a breakthrough, but it's all Paraguay's fault. A sloppy back-pass from Samudio releases Aguero through on goal, and he rounds the keeper easily and taps the ball into an empty net. Diaz will be livid with his side! They've undone all their hard work.
Argentina are looking very dangerous now, as Messi almost finds Aguero again with a defence-splitting pass. The little maestro is dropping deep into midfield and is pulling the strings like a master playmaker.
PENALTY ARGENTINA!
GOAL! ARGENTINA 2-0 PARAGUAY (MESSI, PENALTY)
GOAL: Samudio has quickly gone from hero to zero as he needlessly trips Di Maria in the box, giving the referee no choice but to award a penalty. Messi makes no mistake and calmly slots in the second.
YELLOW CARD: Paraguay are visibly frustrated now as Richard Ortiz becomes the second man to be booked by Wilmar Roldan for a poor tackle on Ever Banega.
Messi looks at the referee in disbelief as he goes down in the box, claiming a penalty. Replays suggest he was fouled, and Paraguay are lucky to escape with that one.
YELLOW CARD: The bookings are adding up as Argentina's Facundo Roncaglia goes into the book for a foul. It gives Paraguay the chance to swing in a free kick, but it comes to nothing.
Messi has a free kick in another dangerous position...he drops it short to Di Maria and Paraguay intercept it. That's the one bad moment in a half of brilliance from Barcelona's star.
The fourth official calls for two minutes added time at the end of the first half.
HALF TIME: ARGENTINA 2-0 PARAGUAY
The referee blows his whistle and this training session...oh sorry, I mean Copa America clash, has reached its interval. Argentina, and Messi, are coasting here and they could score a great deal more if they apply themselves in the second half.
Paraguay have shown little ambition in this game and looked resigned to their fate from the opening minutes. Argentina have been impressive, but they are only in third gear.
If Martino wants to shake things up, he can call on the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez and Eric Lamela in the second half. However, Messi, Aguero and Di Maria have been in excellent form so far and look capable of scoring a few more yet.
For Paraguay, this may now be a case of damage limitation. They know that their best chance of getting through to the next round is by beating Jamaica and Uruguay. Keeping their goal difference respectable is key for them now...
...Perhaps replacing Samudio is the secret. The full-back was at fault for both goals, and they were very bad mistakes.
The runner-up in this group will play the winner of Group C, which contains Brazil and Colombia. That starts tomorrow and you can follow all the action with us here at Sports Mole.
The players are back out and ready to start the second half. How many more can Argentina score?
KICKOFF! Paraguay re-start the game. The red and whites have made a change, with Derlis Gonzales replacing Richard Ortiz.
YELLOW CARD! It's a third yellow of the night for Paraguay, as Gonzales goes straight into the book for a poor challenge.
CHANCE! From the resulting free kick, Messi is found on the edge of the box for a free header but it's blocked before it reaches the corner.
Paraguay earn themselves a free kick to the left of the box. But it's over-hit and comfortable for Romero to claim.
SHOT! More excellent passing from Argentina almost sets up a third. Banega threads a perfect ball down the right-hand side for Roncaglia, whose pull back found Aguero on the penalty spot. However, his volley was deflected wide on the right-hand post.
SAVE! Silva denies Messi a second of the afternoon with a crucial save at his near post. The forward combined neatly with Pastore, whose cut-back found the Barca player on the edge of the six-yard box. Silva stood up tall though and blocked his low shot.
GOAL! ARGENTINA 2-1 PARAGUAY (VALDEZ)
GOAL: What a stunning goal this is from Nelson Valdez, out of nowhere. Moments after Santa Cruz drew a fine point-blank save from Romero, Valdez smashes an effort into the top corner from 30 yards. Game on!
CLOSE! Argentina come within inches of regaining a two-goal lead, as Di Maria's low cross almost finds Aguero at the back post. Some desperate defending keeps Paraguay one goal behind.
CLOSE! How has Messi missed?? Argentina have come alive here and some beautiful football almost brings a third. Some intricate play on the edge of the box releases the great man through on goal. He calmly takes it past the keeper, but fires wide from a tight angle. There were two covering defenders on the line, but he should have scored. Unbelievable.
SUBSTITUTE! Paraguay make their second change as Raul Bobadilla is replaced by Edgar Benitez.
SAVE! Brilliant from Antony Silva. Just brilliant! Argentina cross the ball from the left, but some horrendous defending sees it arrive at the feet of Pastore at the back post. He smacks a vicious shot, but Silva tips it wide for a corner.
Carlos Tevez is warming up on the touchline, it seems he may come on shortly.
Paraguay are committing men forward in search of an equaliser. Ortigoza's cross is turned behind for a corner, but Benitez's set-piece comes to nothing.
CLOSE! Paraguay come within inches of equalising! Who would have thought that at half time? It comes down the right-hand side as Derlis Gonzales plays a low cross across the face of goal for Victor Caceres. However, he gets a small touch on the ball and it misses the far post.
SHOT! Argentina are also piling men forward and it's end to end here. They almost get caught out as Paraguay catch them on the break. However, Caceres fails to make the most of his chance again and has a shot closed down.
CLOSE! Argetina burst up the other end, and Di Maria sends a low cross inches in front of Messi's diving boot. The goal was gaping, but the great man couldn't quite reach it!
SUBSTITUTE! Argentina bring Tevez on with 15 minutes to go in place of Pastore, while Gonzalo Higuain replaces Aguero.
SAVE! Romero pulls off a fine point-blank save to deny Samudio a second for Paraguay. Santa Cruz holds the ball up perfectly, and spots the left-back bursting forward into space. A neat pass plays him in but Romero tips his shot over the bar.
SAVE! This is just breathless! This time Argentina go forward and almost score, as Di Maria blasts a shot towards the near post which needs tipping away for a corner.
CLOSE! The corner drops at the feet of Rojo and he blazes it just over from 12 yards out. What a brilliant 20 minutes this has been!
SUBSTITUTE! Argentina make their third and final change as midfielder Lucas Biglia comes on in place of Ever Banega.
SUBSTITUTE! Amidst all the crazy fun, Roque Santa Cruz bid farewell to be replaced by Lucas Barrios.
YELLOW CARD! Nicolas Otamendi goes into the book for a late tackle.
Paraguay are awarded a free kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the box...
...but it's a total waste as Benitez drives it low and the Argentine defence hoofs it clear.
CHANCE! Paraguay whip another free kick into the box, although this time from a deeper position. Barrios gets his head to it, but he glances it wide.
GOAL! ARGENTINA 2-2 PARAGUAY (BARRIOS)
GOAL: UNBELIEVABLE!!!! Paraguay equalise through Argentine-born Lucas Barrios, who calmly slots the ball into the back of the net after a half-cleared free-kick fell perfectly for him from 12 yards out.
YELLOW CARD! Barrios's celebration, which saw him run over to celebrate with fans, earns him a booking.
CHANCE! WHAT A CHANCE! Argentina must think they're going to win the game when Di Maria curls a fine cross aimed at Tevez. However, he mis-times his jump and nods it wide from six yards!
FULL TIME: ARGENTINA 2-2 PARAGUAY
And that is that... Paraguay have come from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Argentina. What an incredible second half.
That was one of the most exciting, end-to-end halfs of football I have seen for a very, very long time. Full credit to Paraguay for coming back from a woeful performance in the first half and claiming an unlikely draw. But there are a lot of question for Argentina to answer. Why did they continue to pile men forward when they were only 2-1 up??
This also leaves us in a fascinating position in Group B. Uruguay sit top thanks to their win over Jamaica, while Argentina and Paraguay are level. Remember that the team who finishes second will possibly face Brazil in the quarter-finals.
That's it from me tonight, I think I need a lie down after that! Thank you very much for joining us for tonight's clash and remember to stay with Sports Mole for all of the post-match news. There is more Copa America to come tomorrow, so make sure you tune in for some more brilliant action. Good night.
