BRASILIA: Argentina, Olympic football champions in 2004 and 2008, have crashed out at the group stage in Rio 2016 after being held 1-1 by Honduras.

The central Americans reached the quarter-finals for the second successive Games in a match which turned on penalties.

Bryan Acosta and Angel Correa missed penalties either side of half-time for Honduras and Argentina respectively, only for Antony Lozano to make it third time lucky. Mauricio Martinez’s injury-time goal was too little too late as the Albiceleste crashed out.

Honduras began in second place, edging the South Americans on goal difference and almost took an early lead when Giovani Lo Celso’s free-kick was side-footed wide by Jonathan Calleri. Argentina escaped again when keeper Geronimo Rulli foiled Lozano.

Rulli then brought down Alberth Elis to concede a penalty but made amends by beating away Acosta’s effort.

Honduras missed another spot-kick early in the second half but, after Calleri was foiled, Correa shot against a post.

Argentina, needing to win, began to press but then conceded another penalty after Elis was brought down by Lautaro Giannetti. This time Lozano made no mistake.

The other group game saw Portugal seal their grip on top spot despite being held 1-1 by bottom team Algeria in Belo Horizonte.

Goncalo Paciencia scored his third goal in three games, from the penalty spot, before Mohammed Benkablia equalised with a fine individual effort.

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