Buenos Aires: Bolivia took a shocking lead in the second half thanks to a clever goal by Edivaldo Rojas, but substitute Sergio Aguero fired home a cracking volley 15 minutes from time as Argentina salvaged a 1-1 draw with Bolivia in the opening game of the Copa America.
An uninspiring effort by the home side in the first half was dampened by Rojas' goal three minutes into the second half. Aguero, after a few minutes on the field, saved Argentina from more embarrassment, drilling home a volley in the box after Nicolas Burdisso chested it at the far post off a cross from Angel Di Maria.
Two years and three months after falling to Bolivia 6-1 in World Cup Qualifying, the host nation could not down their neighbors to the north on a frigid night in La Plata.
Argentina started off the game with the majority of the possession, looking to go right at the Bolivia defence.
For the first 30 minutes, both teams were plagued offensively by numerous fouls in the centre of the field.
Argentina were the better side in the early going, playing through Ever Banega up the middle, who found Lionel Messi several times to start the attack.
Looking to play through Carlos Tevez on the left as well, the two-time World Cup winners could not break through the last line of the defence to scare goalkeeper Carlos Arias. Ezequiel Lavezzi and Tevez both had a couple chances from odd angles inside the box, but could not convert.
The 15 remaining minutes of the opening half passed with Argentine players showing their frustration at the 0-0 scoreline. Bolivia remained poised for the first 45 minutes, not making many mistakes.
Esteban Cambiasso, Javier Mascherano and Banega, all who tend to be more defensive, forced Messi to return to midfield to look for the ball as failure in the connection between the midfielders and forwards hurt Argentina in the opening half.
Di Maria came on at the beginning of the second half for Cambiasso as Sergio Batista opted for more quickness in attack.
After a surprising move by Batista with the Inter midfielder playing solidly, an even more surprising moment occurred three minutes in.
Off a corner kick by Jhasmany Campos, Rojas flicked the ball to the front post off his heel, surprising Banega, who allowed it to slip by him from centimetres out for the shocking 1-0 advantage.
As the Bolivians celebrated on the sideline, the breathe seemed to be taken out of the fans of the home side filled into the Estadio Unico.
With their backs against the wall, the frustration began to build. Lavezzi drilled two balls into the stands. Di Maria's pace and ability to embarrass defenders was absent.
With 25 minutes to go, Marcelo Martins had a chance to put Bolivia up 2-0 as he went alone against Sergio Romero. The AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper stretched his arm out as he dove to the ground to stop Martins to the left of goal, getting a touch on the ball and making another save right after to keep Argentina in the game.
With 15 minutes to go, Aguero leveled the score with the dramatic finish as Argentina failed to impress, suffering a tie against the underdogs.
Next up, Argentina will face Colombia in Santa Fe on Thursday. Later that day, Bolivia will face Costa Rica in Jujuy. Both teams have one point entering the second fixture.
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