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Argentina vs Uruguay. Copa America Group B.

Argentina's Sergio Aguero secures 1-0 win over Uruguay

Argentina's forward Sergio Aguero celebrates after scoring against Uruguay
Image: Sergio Aguero: Scored his second goal of the tournament for Argentina

Sergio Aguero secured a 1-0 victory over defending champions Uruguay to put tournament favourites Argentina in a strong position to reach the Copa America quarter-finals.

Aguero found the target with a diving header on 56 minutes to leave Argentina in first place of Group B along with Paraguay, who earlier defeated Jamaica 1-0.

Both teams have four points from two matches. Uruguay has three points and Jamaica has zero.

A draw against Jamaica on Saturday will be enough to secure Argentina a place in the last eight of the competition, while Uruguay will need to beat Paraguay on the same day to guarantee a place in the next round and keep their title defence alive.

Lionel Messi and his team-mates were coming off a disappointing 2-2 draw against Paraguay in the opener after conceding a late equalizer, and another setback on Tuesday would have dropped Argentina to third place in the group going into the final round.

Uruguay's forward Edinson Cavani (L) marks Argentina's forward Lionel Messi
Image: Uruguay's Edinson Cavani (L) tries to tackle Argentina's Lionel Messi

Messi was unable to create many chances for his team-mates and was not much of a threat throughout the game, but the Argentines controlled possession at the La Portada Stadium.

"Uruguay had two scoring chances and when we tried to attack they could've equalised," Argentina coach Gerardo Martino said. "It showed that it's important for us to keep possession, and when we have the ball, the real Argentina can be seen."

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Aguero scored the crucial winner with a remarkable header after a driving cross by his Manchester City team-mate Pablo Zabaleta, thrusting himself toward the ball and sending it into the top corner of the net.

Argentina's forward Sergio Aguero celebrates with teammates
Image: Argentina celebrate victory over Uruguay

Uruguay striker Diego Rolan had a great chance to equalize off a rebound from Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero in the 75th minute, but he sent his close-range shot over the crossbar.

Substitute Abel Hernandez also came close in the last minute, but his low shot from inside the area was stopped by Romero.

Uruguay are playing in the Copa America without star striker Luis Suarez, who remains suspended for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in last year's World Cup.

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