Paraguay 2-1 Argentina (Nov 14, 2024) Match Analysis

A stunning bicycle kick from Antonio Sanabria and a second-half header from Omar Alderete gave Paraguay a deserved 2-1 home win over Argentina in South American World Cup qualifying on Thursday.

Argentina took the lead 11 minutes into the game Enzo Fernandez‘s deep pass found Lautaro Martinezwhose thunderbolt was initially ruled out for offside but was eventually awarded after a VAR review.

Paraguay went close moments later then Gustavo Gomez‘s header from a corner hit the crossbar. The home team quickly tried again Gustavo Velazquez‘s cross finds Sanabria, who unleashes an excellent overhead kick that eludes the keeper Emiliano Martinez helpless.

The shocked visitors struggled to find their feet with the captain Lionel Messi largely absent from the action for most of the first half, managing just one shot that went wide.

However, he was booked twice by Alderete, but referee Anderson Daroco did not give him a second yellow card before the break.

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Two minutes into the second half, Paraguay defender Alderete headed in from a free-kick following a mistake by the substitute. Leonardo Balerdi on Julio Enciso.

Rodrigo de Paul had the best chance to equalize 20 minutes from time, but he failed to control the ball after a breakaway and his shot went wide as Argentina’s mistakes continued to mount with Paraguay holding firm in defence.

“Overall, I think we played a great game. We controlled the ball. Their goals came from two of our mistakes. We have to correct our mistakes on set pieces,” forward Martínez told TyC sports after the match.

“(The goal) at the start of the second half made everything more difficult. We have to congratulate the opponent, who defended very well,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni told a news conference.

World Cup holders Argentina top the table with 22 points from 11 games and will host ninth Peru on Tuesday.

The top six teams automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which is organized by USA, Mexico and Canada.