Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni considered resting Lionel Messi for Monday’s Copa America clash against Paraguay but in the end good sense prevailed as the Barcelona striker was once again a key man in their 1-0 win.

Argentina ensured their place in the quarter finals in a game notable for Messi’s record-equalling 147th appearance for the national side. The recognition comes at the end of an eventful season for a man who will turn 34 on Thursday.

“The truth is that Messi has played in all our games and so it is very difficult not to rely on him,” Scaloni said after a hard-fought match.

Messi has been one of Argentina’s most active players in their three Copa games so far. He has played every minute and as usual never stopped looking for the ball.

The victory in Brasilia was Argentina’s 16th match without defeat since losing in the Copa America semi-final in 2019.

It gave them seven points from three games and leaves them top of Group A, two points ahead of Chile.

Argentina went ahead as early as the 10th minute when Alejandro Gomez took a delightful pass from Angel Di Maria and dinked the ball over the diving keeper.

On the night Messi equalled Javier Mascherano’s record of 147 games in the blue and white shirt, he was a busy presence in the Paraguayan half.

In Cuiaba, an own goal from Chile’s Arturo Vidal midway through the second half gave Uruguay their first goal in five games and granted them a point in a gripping 1-1 draw.