Final Score: Argentina 1-0 Paraguay
Date: November 15, 2024
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers (CONMEBOL)
Venue: Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Match Overview:
Argentina secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Paraguay in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers clash, thanks to a second-half goal from Lautaro Martínez. However, the match saw Lionel Messi only play the first half, with coach Lionel Scaloni opting to rest the star player in a bid to manage his fitness ahead of upcoming fixtures.
The win extends Argentina’s unbeaten run in the qualifiers, maintaining their position at the top of the CONMEBOL standings. Meanwhile, Paraguay, despite a valiant effort, couldn’t find the breakthrough and left with nothing from a tightly contested match.
Key Moments:
- Messi’s First-Half Contribution:
- Lionel Messi, making his 10th consecutive start for Argentina, played a key role in orchestrating the team’s attacking moves in the first half. He was involved in most of Argentina’s offensive play, linking up well with Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.
- Despite having several opportunities, Argentina failed to convert in the first 45 minutes. Messi had a few attempts on goal, but Paraguayan goalkeeper Roberto Fernández was in fine form, making crucial saves to keep the score level.
- Lautaro Martínez Breaks the Deadlock:
- In the second half, Argentina came out with renewed intensity, and Lautaro Martínez finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute. A well-timed cross from Álvarez found Martínez in the box, who expertly finished with a header past Fernández to give Argentina the lead.
- Messi Subbed Off at Halftime:
- Messi was substituted at halftime as Scaloni chose to rest him, likely to preserve his fitness for future qualifiers. While Argentina didn’t add another goal in the second half, the defense held firm, and the team secured the three points.
- Paraguay’s Attempts:
- Paraguay pushed forward in search of an equalizer, with Miguel Almirón and Antonio Sanabria both testing Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. However, despite a few dangerous crosses and long-range efforts, Paraguay was unable to break through Argentina’s defense.
Post-Match Reactions:
- Lionel Messi:
- “I feel good, but the decision to come off at halftime was made by the coach to ensure I’m fresh for the next matches. We got the three points, which is the most important thing. We need to keep improving and focus on the next game.”
- Argentina Coach, Lionel Scaloni:
- “We played a solid game and took the three points we needed. Messi is an important player for us, but we have to manage his minutes, especially with so many qualifiers coming up. Lautaro was clinical when we needed him, and the team defended well as a unit.”
- Paraguay Coach, Guillermo Barros Schelotto:
- “We played well, but we couldn’t get the goal we needed. Argentina is a tough team, and we had our chances, but it wasn’t enough. We need to keep pushing in the next qualifiers.”
Analysis:
- Argentina’s Performance:
- The match saw Argentina dominate possession and create several chances, but they were wasteful in front of goal in the first half. The key to the victory was Lautaro Martínez’s goal, which came from excellent link-up play between the forwards. The team also showed resilience defensively, with Emiliano Martínez making crucial saves to keep Paraguay from scoring.
- Paraguay’s Resilience:
- Despite Argentina’s dominance, Paraguay was resolute in defense and looked dangerous on the counter-attack. Paraguay’s attacking trio of Almirón, Sanabria, and Richard Sánchez created problems for Argentina, but they were unable to find the breakthrough.
Standings Implications:
- Argentina remains unbeaten in the CONMEBOL qualifiers and continues to lead the standings, with Messi‘s presence still pivotal in their campaign despite his substitution in this match.
- Paraguay will be disappointed with the result, but the solid performance offers hope for their remaining fixtures in the qualification campaign as they fight for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
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