COPA AMERICA: Argentina 6|1 Paraguay

AMAZING FINISH TO THE FINAL WITH MESI NOT SCORING A GOAL

Rojo, Di Maria (two) and Aguero among goalscorers
Argentina last in final in 2007
Argentina play hosts Chile in Copa America final
Final on Saturday, 4 July in Santiago (21:00 BST)

Argentina remain on course to win their first Copa America title since 1993 after thrashing Paraguay to set up a final against tournament hosts Chile.

Marcos Rojo put Argentina ahead from Lionel Messi's free-kick and Javier Pastore made it 2-0 with a low shot.

Lucas Barrios pulled one back from 20 yards, but Angel Di Maria then netted twice, slotting in from Pastore's pass and then converting a rebound.

Sergio Aguero headed in a fifth and Gonzalo Higuain blasted in a sixth.

It was an impressive victory from Gerardo Martino's side as La Albiceleste moved into the Copa America final for the third time in four competitions and will play Chile in Santiago on 4 July.

Although he did not score, it was another influential performance from skipper Messi, who had a hand in three of the six goals.

His free-kick led to Rojo opening the scoring in the 15th minute and then the four-time World Player of the Year created the second with a jinking run before setting up the impressive Pastore.

Argentina's route to the Copa America final
Group match - 13 June: 2-2 v Paraguay
Group match - 17 June: 1-0 v Uruguay
Group match - 20 June: 1-0 v Jamaica
Quarter-final - 27 June: 0-0 (5-4 on pens) v Colombia
Semi-final - 1 July: 6-1 v Paraguay

Paraguay, 85th in the world rankings, had recovered from a two-goal deficit in their group game against Argentina, which ended 2-2.

Barrios, who scored a last-minute equaliser in that match, netted again, just before half-time with a fine effort from 20 yards out.

But there was to be no fightback this time. Early in the second half, Pastore released Di Maria who slid the ball underneath goalkeeper Justo Villar.

Argentina made it four as Messi led a counter attack and set up Pastore, whose shot fell to Di Maria to finish into an open goal.

Di Maria's cross was then headed in by Manchester City striker Aguero before substitute Higuain scored a stunning sixth to complete the rout.

Manchester United's Angel Di Maria scored two of Argentina's six goals

Lionel Messi is the first player to create three assists in the same game in the 2015 Copa America

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (5) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)

Argentina

01 Romero
04 Zabaleta
15 Demichelis
17 Otamendi
16 Rojo Booked
06 Biglia Booked
14 Mascherano (Gago - 77' )
21 Pastore (Banega - 73' )
10 Messi
11 Agüero (Higuaín - 81' )
07 Di María

Substitutes

03 Roncaglia
05 Gago
08 Pereyra
09 Higuaín
12 Guzmán
13 Casco
18 Tévez
19 Banega
20 Lamela
22 Lavezzi
23 Marchesín

Paraguay

01 Villar
05 Valdez
14 Da Silva Booked
04 Aguilar
02 Piris
10 González (Bobadilla - 27' )
15 Cáceres Booked
13 Ortíz Booked
11 Benítez
18 Valdez (Romero - 56' )
09 Santa Cruz (Barrios Caceres - 30' )

Substitutes

03 Cáceres
06 Samudio
07 Bobadilla
08 Barrios Caceres
12 Silva
16 Molinas
17 Martínez
19 Balbuena
20 Ortigoza
21 Romero
22 Aranda
23 Aguilar

Ref: Sandro Meira Ricci

MATCH STATS

Shots

1514

On target

103

Corners

Fouls

1219

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full TimeMatch ends, Argentina 6, Paraguay 1.

90:00+0:36Full time

Full TimeSecond Half ends, Argentina 6, Paraguay 1.

90:00+0:28

Attempt saved. Óscar Romero (Paraguay) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.