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BUENOS AIRES, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Carlos Tevez was sent off for the second time in three internationals as Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
Gabriel Heinze put through his own goal after only 13 minutes and Argentina were in further trouble when Tevez, sent off in the 2-1 defeat in Colombia in November, was dismissed again for two violent tackles in the 31st.
They managed to snatch a draw when substitute Sergio Aguero scored from a chance set up by Lionel Messi just after the hour.
The draw kept Paraguay top of the 10-team South American World Cup qualifying group with 14 points, two ahead of second-placed Argentina.
It was the fifth time in a row that Paraguay, backed by a large, rowdy contingent of fans, had drawn away to Argentina in a World Cup qualifier.
Argentina made a lively start with Juan Roman Riquelme bouncing a free kick off the Paraguay crossbar in the eighth minute.
Their troubles began five minutes later when Paraguay launched a long ball forward from midfield, Heinze misjudged the situation under pressure from Nelson Haedo Valdez and headed the ball past keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri into the goal.
Heinze also collided with Abbondanzieri, who was taken off injured and replaced by Juan Pablo Carrizo.
Almost immediately, Tevez was lucky to escape with only a yellow card for a sliding tackle from behind on Enrique Vera.
But there was no reprieve when he was booked again for a studs-up challenge on Dario Veron.
Heinze was taken off at halftime along with Angel Di Maria and newcomers Daniel Diaz and Aguero gave the hosts new life.
With the Paraguay crowd in full voice, Messi burst through the heart of the Paraguay midfield in the 61st minute and slipped the ball to Aguero, who placed the ball into the far corner.
Argentina then enjoyed their best spell, creating several clearcut chances, while Carrizo produced a superb save to turn Haedo Valdez's header around the post.
