Islamabad, Nov 16: In a shocking turn of events, Paraguay secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Argentina in the FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, leaving fans stunned.
The match, held in Asunción, showcased Paraguay’s resilience and strategic brilliance against the reigning world champions.
The game began with Paraguay taking an aggressive approach, scoring their first goal within the opening 20 minutes.
Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, responded swiftly with a brilliant equalizer just before halftime.
The second half, however, saw Paraguay intensify their attacks, leading to a decisive goal in the 72nd minute.
Despite Argentina dominating possession, their forwards failed to break through Paraguay’s disciplined defense.
Messi, returning from injury, struggled to make a significant impact. His attempts at late-game heroics were thwarted by Paraguay’s goalkeeper, who delivered a stellar performance.
Paraguay vs Argentina
The defeat marks Argentina’s first loss in the qualifiers and a critical moment for the team as they aim to retain their World Cup title.
With this win, Paraguay climbs up the qualification standings, reigniting their hopes for the 2026 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Argentina will need to regroup quickly for their next match to stay on track for qualification.
The encounter between Paraguay vs Argentina highlighted the unpredictable nature of the qualifiers and the intensity of South American football. Fans eagerly await the upcoming fixtures as the drama unfolds.
Lionel Messi, returning after a brief injury layoff, tried to rally his team, but his efforts were consistently thwarted by Paraguay’s robust defense and outstanding goalkeeping by Santiago Rojas.
Despite dominating possession with 65%, Argentina failed to convert their chances into goals.
The result shakes up the qualification standings, with Paraguay climbing into contention for a World Cup spot.
Argentina, on the other hand, faces mounting pressure as they aim to secure their place in the 2026 tournament.
This defeat also raises questions about Argentina’s tactical approach and their reliance on Messi to lead the team.
