La Serena (Chile), June 17 (IANS): Argentina's star footballer Lionel Messi has accused Uruguay of bullying his side in the Copa America clash here that Argentina eventually clinched 1-0.

Striker Sergio Aguero scored the only goal of a bruising encounter which witnessed six yellow cards being flashed and Argentina coach Gerardo Martino being sent to the stands on Tuesday. Messi said they had no option but to give Uruguay a piece of their own medicine.

"Uruguay wanted to play hard with a lot of contact. We demonstrated that we know how to play this way too, even if it is not the thing we want most. However, we tried to play at the same level during the whole game but Uruguay set out a very tight match. They did not want to play a lot," Messi was quoted as saying by goal.com.

The talismanic 27-year-old foward added they were lucky to get Aguero’s goal which was what precisely the game needed at that point of time.

"We tried to attack them from both flanks. They were expecting to recover the ball in order to play long. Luckily, we got Aguero's goal and then we fought, as that was what the game was asking for," he said.

It was a crucial victory for Argentina, who had in the first game blown away a two-goal cushion to draw 2-2 against Paraguay. However, the 2014 World Cup runners-up are now top of Group B going into their final game against winless Jamaica.

"Our goal is the same now as when we arrived. It was a pity the draw against Paraguay. We were leading 2-0 and we couldn't win. However, now we're where we wanted. We are on top and we get to rely on ourselves to qualify in first position," Messi said.