Nicolas Otamendi of Argentina celebrates with teammates after scoring the workforce’s first purpose through the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Argentina and Paraguay at Estadio Más Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on October 12, 2023 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Lionel Messi hit the put up twice after he got here off the bench however struggled to ship a powerful efficiency following his return from harm, however Argentina managed to beat Paraguay 1-0 on Thursday in a South American World Cup qualifying match.
The World Cup winners picked up their third victory in three matches of the round-robin competitors.
The solely purpose of the match got here in the third minute after a nook kick that discovered Nicolás Otamendi free from marking in the penalty field. The defender smashed the ball into the online with a left-foot volley.
The 36-year-old Messi has felt muscular pains in his proper leg which have sidelined him for a number of matches at his membership Inter Miami. Coach Lionel Scaloni picked Nico Gonzalez as his substitute. The star substituted Julián Álvarez in the 52nd minute, when Argentina was already in the lead.
Messi hit the put up in a nook kick he took 10 minutes after stepping on the pitch of the Monumental de Nuñez Stadium in Buenos Aires, however his different efforts to dribble and provides deep passes fell flat.
A free kick from the identical spot the place he scored the winner in opposition to Ecuador in September raised hopes of Argentina followers shortly earlier than the ultimate whistle, however Messi’s shot hit the appropriate put up.
The absence of Argentina’s captain in the primary half led Scaloni to selected an up-front duo with Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez for the match.
Paraguay’s new coach Daniel Garnero had his debut in opposition to Argentina, and his workforce gave little proof of attacking energy. The 54-year-old coach took over from Guillermo Barros Schelotto final month after the primary two qualifiers.
Messi missed 4 MLS matches for his membership plus the U.S. Open Cup last. He performed 10 minutes on Saturday in Inter Miami’s 1-0 loss to Cincinnati. He additionally skipped Argentina’s 3-0 win at Bolivia in one other World Cup qualifying match in September.
Argentina has 9 factors and Paraguay has one in South American World Cup qualifying.
The subsequent World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada is increasing to a 48-team format, that means direct entry to the highest six groups in South America. The seventh-place workforce will contest an intercontinental playoff for a berth.
Earlier on Thursday, Colombia and Uruguay drew 2-2. Veteran James Rodríguez opened the scoring for the hosts in the 37th minute, and Matias Oliveira levelled shortly earlier than the break.
Mateus Uribe put the Colombians again in entrance in the 52nd minute. Uruguay equalized from the spot with Darwin Núñez moments earlier than the ultimate whistle after being fouled by goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, who was despatched off.
Colombia has 5 factors in three video games and Uruguay has 4.
Ecuador beat Bolivia in La Paz 2-1 with a purpose in the ultimate moments of the match.
Kendry Paéz scored for the guests shortly earlier than the break, and Rodrigo Ramallo equalized in the 83rd minute. Kevin Rodriguez gave Ecuador its first three factors in qualifying.
Later on Thursday, Brazil may have an opportunity to hitch Argentina on the highest of the standings with a win in opposition to Venezuela. Chile and Peru can even play.