
Date: November 15, 2024
Venue: Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers (CONMEBOL)
In a shocking turn of events, Paraguay stunned Argentina with a 2-1 victory in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier. Lionel Messi and Argentina suffered their first loss in the qualifiers, as Paraguay‘s resilient performance led them to an unforgettable victory on Argentine soil.
Here are the highlights from an unforgettable match:
First Half:
- Argentina Takes the Lead (15′)
- Argentina came out strong from the first whistle, with Lionel Messi pulling the strings in midfield. In the 15th minute, Messi fed a perfectly timed ball through to Lautaro Martínez, who calmly slotted it past Paraguay’s goalkeeper Roberto Fernandez to give Argentina a 1-0 lead. The Argentine fans erupted as La Albiceleste looked in control early on.
- Paraguay’s Early Response
- Despite falling behind, Paraguay did not back down. They showed impressive resilience in defense, with Gustavo Gómez and Fabián Balbuena keeping Messi and Martínez at bay. The Paraguayan midfield, led by Miguel Almirón, looked to break on the counter-attack, but Argentina’s defense remained solid.
- Near Equalizer for Paraguay (38′)
- Paraguay had a golden opportunity to equalize when Antonio Sanabria pounced on a loose ball in the box, but Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was quick to react, denying the chance with a crucial save.
Second Half:
- Paraguay Equalizes (53′)
- The second half began with Paraguay pushing higher up the field. In the 53rd minute, they got their reward. Almirón, who had been a constant threat on the wing, delivered a brilliant cross into the box, which Sanabria latched onto and headed past Emiliano Martínez. The match was now 1-1, and the Paraguayan fans were in full voice.
- Paraguay Takes the Lead (67′)
- Paraguay stunned Argentina just 14 minutes later with a well-worked team goal. A short corner was played to Óscar Romero, who swung in a perfect ball into the box. Gustavo Gómez rose above the Argentine defenders and powered a header into the top corner. Argentina’s defense failed to deal with the set-piece, and Paraguay now led 2-1.
- Argentina’s Fightback (70′-90′)
- Argentina fought to regain control, with Messi pulling the strings and creating several chances for Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez. However, Paraguay’s defense remained resolute, blocking shots and clearing crosses. In the 85th minute, Messi had a chance to level the score with a free kick just outside the box, but Roberto Fernandez pulled off a stunning save to keep Paraguay ahead.
- Last-Gasp Efforts from Argentina
- In the final minutes, Argentina piled on the pressure, but Paraguay’s defense, led by Gómez and Balbuena, stood firm. Despite Messi’s best efforts, the match ended 2-1 in favor of the visitors.
Post-Match Reactions:
- Lionel Messi (Argentina):
- “We had control early in the game, but we made mistakes and didn’t capitalize on our chances. Paraguay took theirs well, and we couldn’t respond in time. It’s a setback, but we have to keep pushing forward in the qualifiers.”
- Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Paraguay Coach):
- “This is a huge result for us. The team showed character, and we took our chances. We’ve always believed in our potential, and today we proved it. A great win against a world-class team.”
- Gustavo Gómez (Paraguay Captain):
- “We knew it would be difficult, but we stuck to our plan. Defensively, we were solid, and we capitalized on the set-piece opportunities. It’s a proud moment for all of us.”
Key Players:
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): Despite the defeat, Messi was still the driving force in attack, creating opportunities and looking to inspire a comeback.
- Antonio Sanabria (Paraguay): Scored the equalizer and provided a constant threat in attack. His hold-up play and aerial ability were vital to Paraguay’s performance.
- Gustavo Gómez (Paraguay): Scored the winning goal and was a rock in defense, helping Paraguay withstand the pressure from Argentina in the second half.