How Argentina reached the final

Capo America 2015: How Argentina reached the final   

Argentina were considered favourites to win Copa América 2015 from the start, but it was not until the semi-final that they truly displayed their full potential.

  Sergio Agüero got Argentina off to a brilliant start in their Group B opener against Paraguay, slotting home after rounding Antony Silva.

Lionel Messi added to La Albiceleste's tally before the interval from the penalty spot - it remains his only goal at Copa América 2015 so far.

 However, after Neslon Haedo Valdez pulled one back for La Albirroja, Argentina-born striker Lucas Barrios completed the comeback with a 90th-minute strike.

 Gerardo Martino's men were far more impressive statistically, but they were unable to see out the match for a win

 The oldest rivalry in world football resumed as Argentina took on defending champions Uruguay in their second group clash.

 The pressure was high and Gerardo Martino was sent from the dugouts for his complaints at a decision from the referee - he also received a one-game touchline ban.

 The match was settled in the second half, though, as Agüero got on the scoresheet with a bullet header from a Pablo Zabaleta.

Once again La Albiceleste controlled much of the game and this time they did hold on for three points that sent them top of the group.

When Argentina took on Jamaica at the Estadio Sausalito in Viña del Mar all eyes were on Messi as he made his 100th appearance for the national team.

However, the attention was soon on Gonzalo Higuaín - who started to allow Agüero time to recover from a shoulder problem - as he fired past Dwayne Miller from inside the box

Messi was unable to crown his milestone with a goal as the Reggae Boyz keeper backtracked to make sure his clever chip stayed out in the second half.

It proved to be the most overpowering display Martino's men had produced of the tournament, but their lack of goals remained a concern.

Argentina went up against Colombia in the quarter-finals and goalkeeper David Ospina was in inspired form, pulling off a tremendous double-save to deny Agüero and Messi in the first half.

He was at it again in the second half, tipping an effort from Nicolás Otamendi onto the post to force the game to a penalty shoot-out.

Five spot-kicks had been missed before substitute Carlos Tevez - whose transfer to Boca Juniors was confirmed during the match - sent a composed penalty beyond Ospina to win it.

The statistics show the amount of pressure they put José Pékerman's men under, but again, they struggled to convert from their numerous chances.

Messi was in fine form in the semi-final against Paraguay in Concepción, laying on two goals for his side before 30 minutes had been played.

La Albirroja hinted at another potential comeback when Lucas Barrios pulled on back before half time, but two goals within eight minutes of the restart from Ángel Di María dismissed any such concerns.

Agüero netted a fifth late on before Messi made it a hat-trick of assists by setting up Higuaín to complete a 6-1 rout in the closing stages.

Despite having their lowest amount of possession in any game at Copa América 2015, Argentina set themselves up perfectly for the final against Chile with a clinical showing in the final third.