Argentina

3.61

• 
  73

  11

  3.50

  Sergio Romero

  Little to do for the Sampdoria keeper other than pick the ball out of the net following Fabbro's penalty. Made a good save when called upon to keep out Ayala.

• 
  66

  7

  3.50

  Ezequiel Garay

  A key figure in an extremely tight defensive display from the Albiceleste. Did everything asked of him with minimal fuss, and kept a tight lead on Fabbro during the early stages.

• 
  55

  14

  3.50

  Federico Fernández

  Marked tightly and shut Santa Cruz out of the game in the first half. Distributed well from the back, and coped admirably with Paraguay's famed aerial threat with few chances yielded.

• 
  51

  15

  3.50

  Hugo Armando Campagnaro

  Became more confident in his forays forward as the game progressed, especially after Messi's goal. Did little wrong at the back.

• 
  53

  13

  3.50

  M. Rojo

  Little to fault him defensively, but the ex-Estudiantes man appears to lack the confidence to really maraud down the left flank. The talent is there, but we saw little attacking initiative on Friday.

• 
  154

  18

  4.00

  Ángel Di María

  Another impressive display from a player that looks more and more comfortable in the Albiceleste. Wonderful finish to open the scoring, even if it was helped into the net by a deflection.

• 
  85

  19

  4.00

  Fernando Gago

  Suffered with the absence of regular partner Mascherano in the middle, and in the first half especially was overpowered by the brutal pairing of Caceres and Riveros. Found his feet more after the break with some good surges from deep.

• 
  35

  48

  2.50

  Rodrigo Braña

  An awful mistake early on gave away a penalty and allowed Paraguay to equalise. Broke up some passages of play, but demonstrated once more that he is not up to this level.

• 
  123

  14

  4.00

  Ezequiel Lavezzi

  Tireless running and work from the PSG man, who was key in the build-up to Argentina's early opener. His combative style made him a perfect match for Paraguay's hits, and he will be pleased with his performance.

• 
  176

  27

  4.00

  Gonzalo Higuaín

  Invisible for large stretches of the game, but demonstrated why he is such a danger to defences everywhere. Swooped in and finished beautifully for his 14th international goal.

• 
  339

  88

  4.50

  Lionel Messi

  You just cannot stop this man. After seeing two great efforts strike the woodwork, Lio finally found the net with a second-half free kick that brought the Kempes to its feet.

Substitutions

• 
  41

  15

  3.00

  Lucas Rodrigo Biglia

  A couple of minutes for the midfielder as Brana's replacement.

• 
  31

  19

  3.50

  Pablo Guiñazú

  Played the last 15 minutes after coming on for Di Maria, adding extra bite to the midfield.

• 
  49

  8

  3.50

  Rodrigo Palacio

  The Inter man came on for Rojo as Sabella looked to consolidate victory, but was forced into a more conservative role due to Messi's strike and the Argentine third.

Paraguay

2.29

• 
  13

  7

  3.00

  J. Villar

  Beaten by two very good finishes in the first half, and could do little to stop either Di Maria or Higuain. Did well to close Messi down on one chance, but was beaten again by an unstoppable free kick.

• 
  8

  6

  2.50

  Antolín Alcaraz

  Was unlucky to see his deflection fall straight into Di Maria's path. Did very little wrong, and will feel hard done by to have seen three go past the Guarani.

• 
  10

  7

  2.50

  Iván Rodrigo Piris

  Ruthless in his marking, which led to an early yellow card. Few opportunities to get forward, but acquitted himself well against the skills of Di Maria.

• 
  5

  10

  2.50

  P. da Silva

  Was guilty of daydreaming in Argentina's second goal, when Ortiz's deflection allowed Higuain to steal in and put the hosts back in the ascendancy. An otherwise solid performance from the centre back.

• 
  3

  8

  2.00

  C. Riveros

  Alongside 'Topo' Caceres, gave the Argentine team a torrid time early on with no shortage of hard hits. Took the foot off the pedal a little in the second half, and gaps began to appear.

• 
  1

  13

  1.00

  R. Ortiz

  Paid dearly for his mistake in the build-up to Higuain's goal that put Argentina back in the driving seat. Waged a fascinating battle with Lavezzi on the left hand side, and rode his luck to stay on the pitch after a booking.

• 
  6

  8

  2.50

  Victor Cáceres

  As tough-tackling and uncompromising in the middle as ever, never afraid to commit a foul to bring his man down. That gung-ho spirit proved his undoing, however, when Messi hit home after being downed by the hardman.

• 
  10

  6

  3.00

  Jonathan Fabbro

  The Argentine dispelled any notion of split loyalties with a perfectly-executed penalty after Brana's handball. Did not see enough of the ball in open play to demonstrate his creative abilities, and came off for Cardozo in the second half.

• 
  8

  8

  V. Ayala

  Had one of the few chances enjoyed by Paraguay, a rasping low free-kick that was well stopped by Romero. More of a stabling influence in the middle than a danger working out wide.

• 
  8

  11

  2.50

  M. Estigarribia

  Identified beforehand as one of the major attacking threats, but was marshalled throughout by Campagnaro as he tried to make space on the left. Taken off in the second half for Edgar Benitez.

• 
  12

  16

  1.50

  Roque Santa Cruz

  Very disappointing from the striker, almost invisible throughout his time on the field before being replaced by Valdez.

Substitutions

• 
  6

  7

  E. Benítez

  Came in for Estigarribia late on, and showed a few flashes of quality up front.

• 
  5

  9

  2.00

  Haedo Valdéz

  Replaced the disappointing Santa Cruz, and made a nuisance of himself amongst the defence albeit with little service from open play.

• 
  10

  10

  2.50

  Ó. Cardozo

  Came on for Fabbro in the second half as coach Pelusso tried to inject more pace into the game. Was rarely involved.