Messi’s Return, Thrilling Argentina vs. Paraguay Match Highlights, and a Shocking Incident
Argentina vs. Paraguay Match: Argentina, the defending World Cup champions, graced the field on Thursday night for a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying clash against Paraguay. The crowd at Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires eagerly awaited the return of their hometown hero, Lionel Messi, in his first match since the club’s 1-0 victory over Ecuador on September 7.
Lionel Messi entered the game shortly after halftime, but even his presence couldn’t alter the course of the match, as he struck the post twice, once directly from a corner.
Thrilling Argentina vs. Paraguay Match Highlights
In the final third, Lautaro Martinez, Rodrigo de Paul, and Nico Gonzalez were highly active, generating numerous opportunities, but they couldn’t find the crucial second goal to secure the win. However, Emiliano Martinez managed to keep another clean sheet, as Paraguay failed to produce more than one quality attacking chance.
After the match, Messi addressed the media and took a subtle jab at an unidentified player. “No, no. Truthfully, I didn’t see it. They told me in the locker room that one of them spit at me,” Messi remarked. “The truth is, I don’t know who he is … I don’t know who this boy is.” Messi also chose not to dwell on the incident, deeming it better to leave it at that. You may also read Unbelievable NFL Showdown: Taylor Swift Shines.
In terms of the match, it wasn’t a vintage performance for Lionel Scaloni’s team, but it speaks volumes when a team can win a World Cup qualifier while allowing only one shot on goal. Nevertheless, there were still moments of disappointment in their performance.
Argentina’s next game in this October double-header will see them travel to Lima to face Peru on October 17. Paraguay, on the other hand, will host Bolivia, still searching for their first victory and goal.
With three wins out of three and nine points from nine, Messi and Argentina are well on their way to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
While it may not have been one of Lionel Messi’s best performances, he came very close to stealing the headlines with a late free-kick that struck the post. The Inter Miami star also hit the woodwork from a corner, although only he knows if that was intentional.
Argentina and Lionel Scaloni will be relieved to have their captain back on the field without injury, which likely brought smiles to faces in Miami.
Argentina Team News
Argentina’s Paulo Dybala (knee) and Juan Foyth (unknown) are among several players omitted from the national team squad due to various injuries. However, head coach Lionel Scaloni received a boost with the news that star attacker Lionel Messi had recovered from a muscle injury after a 10-minute appearance in Inter Miami’s 1-0 loss to Cincinnati. It’s still uncertain whether Messi will start or come off the bench against Paraguay.
In the absence of Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, who is sidelined with a foot injury, Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi are expected to form the central defensive partnership in front of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, with full-backs Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico on the flanks.
Lautaro Martínez, despite his red-hot form for Inter Milan, might not secure a starting spot, with Manchester City’s Julian Álvarez being the preferred choice to lead Scaloni’s attack at the moment. You should also check Unlocking Dark Secrets in ‘The Fall of the House of Usher.
Angel Di María is also unfit for international duty due to an injury, making Nico Gonzalez the likely replacement on the wing. E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Alvarez; Messi, L Martinez, Gonzalez.
Paraguay Team News
Paraguay’s new coach, Daniel Garnero, must navigate the match without the services of midfield trio Andres Cubas, Cristhian Paredes, and Diego Gomez, all sidelined due to injuries.
Newcastle United’s Miguel Almiron is expected to start on the right-hand side of the attack, while Ramon Sosa hopes for a spot in the starting XI on the opposite flank, with Carlos Gonzalez and Gabriel Avalos competing for the number nine role. Coronel; Rojas, Balbuena, Gomez, Alonso; Villasanti, Sanchez, Romero; Almiron, Avalos, Sosa.
