Argentina - Paraguay: Facts and Figures

Both teams are through to the next round and that is why the managers, Alfio BASILE and Gerardo MARTINO opted to rest several key players for Tonight’s Group C show-down in Barquisimeto, in Copa America Venezuela 2007 last first round match.

Paraguay will be happy with a draw as that will mean they will win Group C. Argentina, on the other hand, will be looking to win, avoid Mexico in the quarter-finals and play Peru.

As we prepare for this match, in which a lot of Argentina fans will be happy to see AIMAR and TEVEZ from the start, let’s see some facts and figures about the rich history of head-to-head meetings between the Albiceleste and the Albirroja.

• This will be the 92nd match between both teams.



• Argentina won 49, scoring 189 goals and conceeding 95.



• Paraguay won 14.



• There were 28 draws.



• For Copa America, this will be their 22nd meeting.



• Paraguay NEVER defeated Argentina in the history of the Copa America.



• Argentina have won 17 of those 21 matches, scoring 67 and conceeding 19.



• Their first Copa America meeting was in Buenos Aires (16 October, 1921) and Argentina won 3-0 with goals from LIBONATTI, SARUPPO and ECHEVERRIA.



• The last time these two teams met in this continental cup, was in Cochabamba, Bolivia in 1997 (1st round). Goalkeeper José Luis CHILAVERT scored a penalty kick for Paraguay and Marcelo GALLARDO equalized for Argentina in the last minute (also from the spot, after missing a previous penalty kick in the 55th minute).



• The biggest score between these two was an 8-0 win by Argentina at Santiago de Chile in the Copa America 1926.



• The only competitive match (non-friendly) that Paraguay won against Argentina was a World Cup Qualifier for Germany 2006. 1-0 in Asunción, Paraguay (3 September, 2005). The scorer was non-other than Roque SANTA CRUZ.
  

A great retrospective for Argentina against Paraguay. BASILE’s men, with a lot of eager “reserve” players, will sure be looking to keep that favorable history going strong.