Argentina beat Paraguay 6-1, on to Copa America Final : Through Di Maria Brace

Argentina beat Paraguay 6-1, on to Copa America Final : Through Di Maria Brace

Argentina hasn't won a noteworthy trophy since the 1993 Copa America, when Messi was six years of age. The Argentines were wiped out by champion Uruguay in the Copa America quarterfinals at home in 2011, and lost continuous finals to adversary Brazil in 2004 and 2007.

Yet, Argentina has won the past four Copa Americas played in Chile, the rearward in 1991.

Argentina defeated Paraguay during the greater part of the match in Concepcion, controlling ownership and making scoring chances from the earliest starting point. The group battled for a couple of minutes before halftime, however returned to smash its opponents in the second half.

Paraguay lost two key players because of injury in the first half -- playmaker Derlis Gonzalez in the 26th minute and veteran striker Roque Santa Cruz in the 30th.

 Match Highlights :

* Rojo opened the scoring in the 15th after Messi's free kick into the penatly range. Paraguayan defenders neglected to clear the ball and Rojo effectively discovered the net from the six-yard line.

* Messi than set up Pastore's goal in the 27th by sustaining him the ball in flawless position for a low shot from the highest point of the area.

* Di Maria added to Argentina's lead just two minutes into the second half.

* Messi also started the play that led to the fifth goal, an 80th-minute header by Aguero after a left-side cross by Di Maria. In the sixth goal, Messi poked the ball forward to set up Higuain's close-range shot in the 83rd.

* Paraguay has never beaten Argentina in 24 Copa America matches.

Argentina pulled away from Paraguay with a second-half onslaught to win 6-1 in their Copa America semifinal match and advance to face hosts Chile in the finals.