Argentina reach final, but Martino is not happy

CONCEPCION — His team may have re-discovered their goalscoring ability, but Argentina coach Gerardo Martino believes his side can improve on their 6-1 Copa America semi-final demolition of Paraguay on Tuesday (yesterday morning, Singapore time), adding that aspects of the goalless draw against Colombia in the previous round had pleased him more instead.

Argentina, who last won the tournament in 1993, will meet hosts Chile in the final on Saturday in Santiago.

But although Argentina are just one more win from securing their first major international title since that triumph in Ecuador 23 years ago, Martino’s main gripe was that his players had failed to press the Paraguayans hard enough to win back possession when they lost the ball.

“Our play was much better in the match against Colombia,” he told reporters, referring to the tense quarter-final clash that was settled in a penalty shootout.

“In terms of winning back the ball, anywhere on the pitch, I think we were better in the game against Colombia than in today’s game. We didn’t press well, either when we were in their half of the pitch or when we were forced backwards.

“I’m happy about the 6-1 scoreline and playing in the final but if there’s something that needs correcting I’ll correct it, whether we draw 0-0, lose or win.”

Argentina, the pre-tournament favourites having reached last year’s World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro where they lost 1-0 to Germany, maintained their utter dominance of Paraguay in the tournament with two goals before the break and four in the second half to set up a final showdown against hosts Chile.

Angel di Maria scored twice, with other goals coming from Marcos Rojo, Javier Pastore, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain in a superb team display, orchestrated by an inspired Lionel Messi as they maintained their unbeaten record in 24 meetings with Paraguay in the Copa America.

Argentina have played well throughout the tournament but until Tuesday had scored only four goals in as many matches as they struggled to finish off their opponents.

However, their victory was the biggest in a Copa America semi-final since 1997, when Brazil hammered Peru 7-0, and was Argentina’s biggest win over Paraguay in the tournament since 1947, when they beat them 6-0 in Ecuador.

Argentina are aiming to equal Uruguay’s record of 15 Copa America titles, and for Messi, it is a step closer to winning his first major international trophy with Argentina and ending criticism he often produces his best football for his club Barcelona rather than his country.

“We got to the World Cup final, now the Copa America final, we want to win it,” Messi was quoted as saying by Bloomberg. “Doesn’t matter if I score, as long as the team does.”

TV Times: 2015 Copa America final — StarHub TV Ch202, 4am on Sunday (Singapore time).