World Qualifiers: Argentina 1-0 Paraguay, three consecutive wins, Messi hit two posts, Otamendi scored
In the third round of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 US-Canada-Mexico World Cup, Argentina faces Paraguay at the Monument Stadium. In the third minute, Otamendi volleyed into the net to give the home team a dream start. In the 42nd minute, De Paul's shot popped off the post. In the 53rd minute, Messi came off the bench. In the 76th minute, Messi hit the post with a corner kick. In injury time, Messi hit the post with a free kick. In the end, Argentina beat Paraguay 1-0 to win three consecutive World Qualifiers.
Competition focus
1. Otamendi played as captain and scored the fifth goal of his international career, his first goal in the Scaloni era.
2. Because his body has not fully recovered, Messi did not come off the bench until the 53rd minute.
3. In the first official match in charge of Paraguay, Daniel Garnello faced his native Argentina, and when he was a player, Garneiro played as a midfielder and made one appearance for the Argentine national team in 1995.
4. Argentina won their 50th victory against Paraguay.
Wonderful review
In the third minute, De Paul's corner kick from the left was cleared by Otamendi's volley from the back post to give Argentina a 1-0 lead.
In the 16th minute, Alvarez crossed from the right, Gonzalez pushed straight into the box, Lautaro tried to make a tackle, but did not touch the ball.
In the 25th minute, Lautaro slid on the right flank and Alvarez volleyed into the near corner, and Coronel saved the ball off the line.
In the 30th minute, Alvarez returned with his heel, Lautaro pushed with his right foot, and Coronel held the ball.
In the 38th minute, Alvarez headed into the far corner, Gonzalez headed in and Coronel saved the line.
In the 42nd minute, Molina crossed and DePaul volleyed with his right foot, and the ball hit the post.
In the 53rd minute, Scaloni replaced Alvarez with Messi.
In the 68th minute, McAllister diagonally suspended from the box, DePaul volleyed and Coronel made a brilliant save.
In the 76th minute, Messi took a corner kick from the right and the ball hit the far post.
In injury time, Messi hit the post with a free kick.
Technical statistics
Player ratings
Argentina line-up (4-4-2)
Goalkeeper: 23 - Dib Martinez
Defenders: 21 Molina, 19 Otamendi, 13 Christian Romero, 3 Tagliafico
Midfielders: 7 De Paul, 20 McAllister, 8 Enzo Fernandez (80'5 Paredes), 15 Nico Gonzalez
Forwards: 9 - Alvarez (53'10 - Messi), 22 - Lautaro
Subs not available: 1 Almani (GK), 12 Musso (GK), 2 Quarta, 4 Montiel, 6 Pezzera, 8 Acuña, 11 Lo Celso, 14 Ocampos, 17 Ghanacho, 18 Rodríguez
Paraguay squad (5-4-1)
Goalkeeper: 1 - Coronel
Defenders: 14 - Iván Ramirez (46'2 - Robert Rojas), 5 - Balbuena, 15 - Gustavo Gomez, 6 - Junior Alonso (76'11 - Villalba), 4 - Espinosa
Midfielders: 19-Ramón Sousa, 20-Richard Sanchez, 10-Almiron (86'7-Avalos), 8-Campsano (71'23-Ojeda)
Forward: 21 - Barreiro (71'9 - Sanafria)
Subs not available: 12 Santiago Rojas (GK), 22 Juan Espinola (GK), 3 Alderet, 13 Gallarza, 16 Matías Rojas, 17 Romero, 18 Jiménez