Paraguay 0-0 Argentina: Messi’s Men Held in Qualifier as La Albiceleste Extend Unbeaten Run


Final Score: Paraguay 0-0 Argentina
Date: November 15, 2024
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers (CONMEBOL)
Venue: Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraguay
Match Summary:
In a tense FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier in Asunción, Paraguay held Argentina to a frustrating 0-0 draw, denying the Albiceleste a victory in a match they dominated for large stretches. Despite creating a number of scoring opportunities, Argentina was unable to break down the resolute Paraguayan defense and had to settle for a point.
This result extends Argentina’s unbeaten streak in the qualifiers, but the draw represents a missed opportunity for Lionel Messi and his teammates to further solidify their position at the top of the CONMEBOL standings.
Key Moments:
- First Half:
- Argentina dominated possession from the start, with Lionel Messi pulling the strings in midfield. However, Paraguay’s defense, led by Gustavo Gómez and Fabián Balbuena, stood firm to prevent any clear-cut chances.
- Messi was at the center of the action, firing a powerful shot from outside the box in the 25th minute, but Paraguayan goalkeeper Roberto Fernández made a brilliant save to deny him.
- Paraguay’s best chance of the first half came on the counter when Miguel Almirón broke free, but his final pass to Antonio Sanabria was intercepted just before he could get a shot off.
- Second Half:
- Argentina came out stronger after the break, and Messi had another opportunity in the 58th minute. After a neat one-two with Julián Álvarez, Messi found himself one-on-one with Fernández, but his shot was blocked by the Paraguayan goalkeeper’s quick reflexes.
- Lautaro Martínez had a chance in the 70th minute when a cross from Álvarez found him inside the six-yard box, but his header went wide.
- As the match drew to a close, Argentina ramped up the pressure, but despite several near-misses and a flurry of late crosses into the box, they couldn’t find a breakthrough.
- Frustration for Messi and Argentina:
- In the final minutes, Messi had one last opportunity with a free-kick from just outside the box, but his curling effort sailed just over the bar, sealing the draw for Paraguay.
Post-Match Reactions:
- Lionel Messi expressed his frustration after the game: “We controlled the game, but it’s tough when teams sit back and defend so deep. We created chances, but we couldn’t put them away. It’s a draw we didn’t want, but we’ll take the point and move on.”
- Paraguay‘s coach, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, praised his team’s defensive performance: “We knew it would be difficult, but the players executed the plan perfectly. We frustrated one of the best teams in the world and earned a valuable point.”
Tactical Breakdown:
- Argentina‘s attacking play was predictable at times, relying heavily on Messi to create chances. Despite the volume of possession and attempts, Argentina struggled to break down Paraguay’s deep defensive block.
- Paraguay, under Schelotto, adopted a conservative approach, sitting deep and looking to hit on the counter. Their defensive setup, with Gómez and Balbuena at the heart of the backline, made it difficult for Argentina to break through. The absence of an out-and-out attacking threat, however, meant Paraguay struggled to capitalize on counter-attacks.
Standings Implications:
- Argentina remains unbeaten in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, but this draw leaves them with a feeling of missed opportunity. They still top the standings but will need to ensure they convert their dominance into victories in future fixtures.
- Paraguay, while not securing all three points, will take confidence from this result, knowing they were able to frustrate the World Cup champions. This valuable point could help them in their bid to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup