Lionel Messi has urged Argentina to bounce back quickly from their 2-0 defeat against Colombia in thier opening game of the Copa America.
The lacklustre Group B clash appeared to be heading for a goalless draw until Roger Martinez fired Colombia ahead with a superb strike on 71 minutes and substitute Duvan Zapata wrapped up the win with four minutes remaining.
La Albiceleste must now defeat Paraguay and Qatar in their other group matches to progress to the knockout stages and Messi is confident that they will respond.
It's not easy to start with a loss, but if we beat Paraguay, we go back to a comfortable situation.
Lionel Messi
The Barcelona star said: "There are positives to come out of this, we are ready to accept the challenge that we have.
"There is no time to complain, we have to look ahead, we have to raise our heads and continue, there's still a lot of the tournament left.
"They kept the ball well but didn't create clear opportunities, but when we took a step forwards in the second half they scored a goal.
"When we were playing at our best, they scored a great goal and it cost us."
Argentina, who have lost the last two finals on penalties against Chile, are looking to claim their 15th win at the tournament and first since 1993 in Brazil this summer.
And, despite the disappointing start in Salvador, Messi believes that they can still go on and lift the trophy.
He added: "We'll take it as a lesson for the upcoming games. We continue to depend on ourselves.
"It's not easy to start with a loss, but if we beat Paraguay, we go back to a comfortable situation."
Argentina, who are 5/1 to win the Copa America, are priced at 1/2 to win their second group game on Thursday, while Paraguay are 5/1 to win and the draw is 16/5.
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Lionel Messi has urged Argentina to bounce back quickly from their 2-0 defeat against Colombia in thier opening game of the Copa America.
The lacklustre Group B clash appeared to be heading for a goalless draw until Roger Martinez fired Colombia ahead with a superb strike on 71 minutes and substitute Duvan Zapata wrapped up the win with four minutes remaining.
La Albiceleste must now defeat Paraguay and Qatar in their other group matches to progress to the knockout stages and Messi is confident that they will respond.
It's not easy to start with a loss, but if we beat Paraguay, we go back to a comfortable situation.
Lionel Messi
The Barcelona star said: "There are positives to come out of this, we are ready to accept the challenge that we have.
"There is no time to complain, we have to look ahead, we have to raise our heads and continue, there's still a lot of the tournament left.
"They kept the ball well but didn't create clear opportunities, but when we took a step forwards in the second half they scored a goal.
"When we were playing at our best, they scored a great goal and it cost us."
Argentina, who have lost the last two finals on penalties against Chile, are looking to claim their 15th win at the tournament and first since 1993 in Brazil this summer.
And, despite the disappointing start in Salvador, Messi believes that they can still go on and lift the trophy.
He added: "We'll take it as a lesson for the upcoming games. We continue to depend on ourselves.
"It's not easy to start with a loss, but if we beat Paraguay, we go back to a comfortable situation."
Argentina, who are 5/1 to win the Copa America, are priced at 1/2 to win their second group game on Thursday, while Paraguay are 5/1 to win and the draw is 16/5.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com