
Date: November 15, 2024
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
Match: Paraguay vs Argentina
Venue: Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraguay
Preview:
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers continue with a key South American showdown between Paraguay and Argentina. The match will take place at the iconic Estadio Defensores del Chaco, located in the heart of Asunción, Paraguay. Both teams are fighting for crucial points as they aim to secure their places in the 2026 World Cup to be held in USA, Canada, and Mexico.
- Argentina, the defending World Cup champions from 2022, will come into this match as favorites. Under the leadership of Lionel Messi, who continues to be the heartbeat of the team, Argentina boasts a squad filled with world-class talent. With a strong start to the qualifying campaign, Argentina will be looking to maintain their momentum and extend their lead in the CONMEBOL qualifiers.
- Paraguay, meanwhile, will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage and aim for a much-needed win. After missing out on qualification for the 2022 World Cup, Paraguay will be determined to return to the tournament, and a win over the defending champions would be a massive statement in their campaign.
Recent Form:
- Paraguay:
Paraguay comes into this match with a mixed bag of results in the qualifiers so far. They have shown resilience, but they need to be more consistent in order to secure a top-four spot in CONMEBOL. Their recent form has been solid at home, but they still face a tough challenge in the form of Argentina.- Last 5 Matches: W-D-L-W-D
- Key Strengths: Strong defense, quick counter-attacks, and set-piece execution.
- Key Weaknesses: Lack of finishing quality at times and struggles to break down top-level defenses.
- Argentina:
Argentina has been in exceptional form since their 2022 World Cup victory. With Lionel Messi in dazzling form and a squad full of attacking options, Argentina has been dominant in their qualifiers. They have yet to lose a match and will be keen to secure another three points in their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.- Last 5 Matches: W-W-D-W-W
- Key Strengths: Attack-minded play, excellent team chemistry, and a well-organized defense led by Emiliano Martínez.
- Key Weaknesses: Occasionally caught out in transition defense, though they have a solid midfield to regain control.
Head-to-Head:
- Total Matches Played: 94
- Argentina Wins: 53
- Paraguay Wins: 15
- Draws: 26
In their most recent encounters, Argentina has generally had the upper hand, although Paraguay has managed to surprise their rivals on a few occasions. In the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers, both teams played out a goalless draw in Asunción, but Argentina won the previous match 1-0 at home in 2020.
Key Players to Watch:
- Paraguay:
- Miguel Almirón (Newcastle United) – The dynamic winger is Paraguay’s primary attacking outlet. His pace and dribbling ability will be crucial in breaking down Argentina’s defense.
- Antonio Sanabria (Torino) – The experienced striker will be looking to exploit any defensive lapses from Argentina. His finishing ability and physical presence in the box will make him a key threat.
- Roberto Fernández (Goalkeeper) – The Paraguayan goalkeeper will play a vital role in trying to keep out the Argentina attack, including players like Messi, Martínez, and Álvarez.
- Argentina:
- Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain) – Messi remains the star of Argentina’s team. With his vision, dribbling, and finishing ability, he is always the focal point in attack. Expect him to be heavily involved in creating chances and scoring.
- Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan) – The Inter Milan striker is one of Argentina’s most dangerous forwards. His partnership with Messi could be key in breaking down Paraguay’s defense.
- Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa) – As one of the standout goalkeepers in world football, Emiliano will be crucial in ensuring Argentina holds their defensive shape and stays organized under pressure from Paraguay’s attackers.
Predicted Lineups:
Paraguay (4-4-2 Formation):
- Goalkeeper: Roberto Fernández
- Right-back: Juan Patiño
- Center-backs: Gustavo Gómez, Fabián Balbuena
- Left-back: Carlos González
- Midfielders: Miguel Almirón, Víctor Cañete, Osmar Molinas, Óscar Romero
- Forwards: Antonio Sanabria, Adalberto Román
Coach: Guillermo Barros Schelotto
Argentina (4-3-3 Formation):
- Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez
- Right-back: Nahuel Molina
- Center-backs: Cristian Romero, Gonzalo Montiel
- Left-back: Marcos Acuña
- Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández
- Forwards: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez
Coach: Lionel Scaloni
Prediction:
Paraguay will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage, but Argentina, with Lionel Messi and a talented squad, will be hard to stop. Despite Paraguay’s strong defensive organization and the attacking threat of Miguel Almirón and Antonio Sanabria, Argentina‘s quality is likely to shine through in the end.
Prediction: Paraguay 1-2 Argentina
It’s expected to be a hard-fought battle, but Argentina should edge past Paraguay with a narrow win. However, Paraguay‘s resilience and home advantage could make it a closer match than anticipated.
How to Watch:
- In Argentina: The match will be broadcast live on TyC Sports and TV Pública.
- In Paraguay: Tigo Sports and GEN will have live coverage.
- Internationally: ESPN, DAZN, and FuboTV will broadcast the match. Streaming will be available through these platforms in different regions.
Kick-off time varies depending on location:
- Argentina: 20:30 (local time)
- Paraguay: 20:30 (local time)
- USA (Eastern Time): 18:30
- UK: 00:30 (next day)