
Final Score: Argentina 1-0 Paraguay
Goal Scorer: Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina)
Match Overview:
In a tense encounter in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, Argentina secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Paraguay at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción. The win helped Argentina maintain their strong push towards securing qualification for the 2026 tournament.
The only goal of the match came from Nicolás Otamendi, who scored a header off a set-piece in the second half. The Paraguayan defense was caught off guard as Otamendi rose highest to meet a cross, sending the ball past Roberto Fernández into the back of the net.
Key Moments and Highlights:
- First Half:
- Argentina dominated possession early, with Lionel Messi pulling the strings in midfield.
- Despite several efforts, Paraguay’s defense, led by Gustavo Gómez and Fabián Balbuena, stood strong to deny Argentina a breakthrough.
- Messi came closest to scoring when his powerful shot from outside the box rattled the post, leaving Paraguay’s fans in relief.
- Second Half:
- Argentina continued to press after the break, and their efforts finally paid off in the 65th minute.
- A well-delivered corner kick from Leandro Paredes found Otamendi, whose header found the back of the net, giving Argentina a 1-0 lead.
- Paraguay pushed for an equalizer, but despite the best efforts of Miguel Almirón and Antonio Sanabria, they couldn’t break down Argentina’s defense.
- Messi’s Near Miss:
- In the final minutes, Messi had another chance, but his curling free-kick was saved by Fernández, ensuring that Argentina’s narrow lead stood until the final whistle.
Post-Match Reaction:
- Lionel Messi was visibly frustrated after hitting the post earlier in the match but praised the team’s resilience. “We knew it would be tough here, but we got the job done. Every point counts,” he said in his post-match interview.
- Nicolás Otamendi, who scored the winning goal, stated, “It’s always special to contribute to the team, especially with a goal. We needed this win badly.”
Standings Implications:
- The win for Argentina is crucial as they remain at the top of the CONMEBOL qualifiers table, staying firmly on track for World Cup 2026 qualification.
- Paraguay will feel aggrieved by the result but can take positives from a solid defensive performance, although they remain on the edge of qualification hopes.