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Paraguay rally from two down against Argentina to salvage draw

Paraguay came from two goals down to claim a a share of the spoils from a late 2-2 draw in their Copa America's Group B opener against Argentina in La Serena on Saturday.

Argentina went 2-0 up thanks to first-half goals from Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi but their opponents struck back through Nelson Haedo Valdez and Lucas Barrios for a point at Estadio La Portada.

The result leaves Argentina second in the group standings, with Paraguay below them level with one point after Cristian Rodriguez handed leaders Uruguay a 1-0 triumph against Jamaica in the other Group B clash.

Argentina started brightest and controlled the pace of the match in the opening exchanges.

They took the lead on the half-hour mark as Manchester City striker Aguero broke the deadlock as he intercepted a soft pass back from Paraguay's Miguel Samudio to his goalkeeper Antony Silva and netted his side's opening goal of the tournament.

Five minutes late, Miguel Samudio brought down Angel Di Maria in the box and Barcelona striker Messi doubled Argentina's advantage from the penalty spot to hand them a 2-0 lead at the break.

Messi converted the penalty with a firm low shot into the corner, scoring his 46th goal in 98 matches with the national team.

Paraguayan players complained with Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan, saying Samudio made a clean challenge on Di Maria in the play that prompted the penalty.

Paraguay forward Valdez finished off a great shot with the Albirroja's first goal of the match from outside the box to reduce the deficit near the hour mark.

Valdez nearly equalised in the 71st minute with a close-range shot that missed just wide, and Samudio had his shot stopped by Romero in the 76th.

Barrios levelled the score in the 91st minute following a set piece. Paulo Da Silva headed the ball down to Barrios to lash home at the near post.

Argentina, who haven't won a significant trophy since the 1993 Copa America in Ecuador, next play Uruguay in La Serena on Tuesday, while Paraguay will face Jamaica in Antofagasta.