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USA vs Argentina Report

Matias Vulej, March 26 2011,
Esteban Cambiasso gave the advantage to Argentina, before Juan Agudelo found the unexpected equalizer.
Lio Messi was the heart and brains behind Argentina but could not find the net. An excellent evening for Napoli's Ezequiel Lavezzi
Lio Messi was the heart and brains behind Argentina but could not find the net. An excellent evening for Napoli's Ezequiel Lavezzi
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"The result is not important, it won't affect our quest. We know what we want. We deserved to win, but we needed another goal" said Cambiasso right after the match. Argentina opened the score in the last minutes of the first half, before Agudelo evened the score, taking full advantage of Mariano Andujar's misstep in a cross.

Batista's classic 4-3-3 formation found Javier Zanetti in excellent form, while Estudiantes' winger Marcos Rojo played far below the expectations of Albiceleste's coach. Lio Messi formed a dangerous partnership with Angel Di Maria and Ezequiel Lavezzi, demonstrating Batista's search for alternatives in the squad is likely to bear fruits.

The draw was celebrated as a victory for the local team, as the crowds seemed to be more enthusiastic about watching Lio Messi on the field than anything else. The Stars and Stripes fell back on violence as a means for survival with relative success.

Argentina and USA played an interesting game this Saturday, as Bob Bradley's boys knew they were dealing with a rival far above their level, but nevertheless the North Americans never gave up and kept a constant pressure in the opposite area.

Clint Dimpsey shot first at the third minute without compromising Mariano Andujar. It took about fifteen minutes for Lio Messi to find his place in the game, but luckily for Sergio Batista Angel Di Maria successfully lead Argentina's attack.

Real Madrid's striker had two fair shots in the first fifteen minutes of the game, building strong attacks along with winger Marcos Rojo and Ezequiel Lavezzi. Lio Messi awoke at the 17th minute, looking rather comfortable associating both with Lavezzi and Di Maria.

On the 23rd and 27th minute, Messi challenged Tim Howard twice, but the local goalkeeper responded accordingly time after time. Di Maria shot against his goal after a brilliant individual maneuver, but the ball went straight into Howard's hands.

Ever Banega and Javier Mascherano played a major role nullifying the attack of the USA. Esteban Cambiasso was the bridge between them and the offensive trident, and Internazionale's experienced midfielder lived up to the expectations of the manager.

The game was about to take a radical twist close to the hour mark as Landon Donovan's cross found Yanks' captain Carlos Bocanegra inside the box, who connected a powerful header. Andujar reacted slowly, deflected the ball poorly and gifted Juan Agudelo with the equalizer.

The goal froze the game, and though the Argentineans made enough merits to claim the upper hand, but they could never beat Tim Howard's goal.

Argentina plays Costa Rica next Tuesday while United States receives Paraguay.

USA vs Argentina

Date: Saturday, 26 Mar 2011
Time: 19:00 ( US/Eastern )
Competition: Friendly
Live/Repeat: Live

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