Paraguay pulled off a remarkable 2-1 victory over Argentina in Thursday’s CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier, denting La Albiceleste’s momentum.
Lautaro Martinez’s 11th-minute opener for Argentina was swiftly cancelled out by Antonio Sanabria’s stunning overhead kick in the 19th minute. The teams entered halftime level, but Argentina’s fortunes took a turn for the worse when Cristian Romero exited with a right foot injury.
His replacement, Leonardo Balerdi, struggled to find cohesion with centre-back partner Nicolas Otamendi, and Paraguay capitalised. Diego Gomez’s pinpoint cross found Omar Alderete, who sealed the win with a powerful header.
This setback marks Argentina’s third dropped points in recent qualifiers, following draws against Colombia and Venezuela. Despite leading the standings with 22 points, the reigning World Champions’ form is cause for concern.
Manager Lionel Scaloni will focus on Romero’s injury status and preparation for Tuesday’s clash against Peru, Argentina’s final match of 2024.
Lionel Messi’s subdued performance added to Argentina’s woes, highlighting the team’s reliance on their star forward.
Paraguay’s triumph maintains their sixth-place position, revitalising their World Cup qualification hopes.
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