Lionel Messi, regardless of hitting the submit twice upon his return from damage, couldn’t totally shine in a South American World Cup qualifying match as Argentina secured a 1-0 victory over Paraguay Thursday.
The World Cup champions maintained an ideal report with three wins in three matches of the round-robin competitors.
The sole objective of the sport arrived within the third minute when a nook kick situated Nicolas Otamendi unmarked within the penalty field, and the defender spectacularly volleyed the ball into the web together with his left foot.
Messi, who not too long ago handled muscular pains in his proper leg that sidelined him for a number of matches at Inter Miami, discovered himself struggling to make a major impression.
Coach Lionel Scaloni opted for Nico Gonzalez as his preliminary alternative, and Messi entered the match within the 52nd minute when Argentina was already main.
While Messi’s nook kick ten minutes into his look struck the submit, his makes an attempt at dribbling and delivering deep passes fell in need of expectations.
In the dying moments of the match, there was a glimmer of hope for Argentina as Messi took a free-kick from the identical spot the place he had scored the winner towards Ecuador in September, however his effort clanged towards the precise submit.
Without their captain within the first half, Scaloni deployed an attacking duo of Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.
Paraguay, led by new coach Daniel Garnero in his debut match towards Argentina, displayed restricted attacking prowess.
The 54-year-old took over from Guillermo Barros Schelotto final month after the primary two qualifiers.
Messi had missed 4 MLS matches for Inter Miami and the U.S. Open Cup closing.
He solely performed for 10 minutes in Inter Miami’s 1-0 loss to Cincinnati final Saturday. Additionally, he skipped Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Bolivia in one other World Cup qualifying match in September.
La Albiceleste now boast 9 factors, whereas Paraguay has one level in South American World Cup qualifying.
In the following World Cup, set to happen within the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the match is increasing to a 48-team format, with direct entry granted to the highest six groups in South America.
The seventh-place workforce will face an intercontinental playoff for a qualification spot.
In an earlier match on Thursday, Colombia and Uruguay performed to an exhilarating 2-2 draw.
The skilled James Rodriguez opened the scoring for the hosts within the thirty seventh minute, with Matias Oliveira equalizing shortly earlier than halftime.
Mateus Uribe restored Colombia’s lead within the 52nd minute, however Uruguay managed to degree the rating from the spot simply earlier than the ultimate whistle after a foul by goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, who acquired a purple card.
Colombia at the moment has 5 factors from three video games, whereas Uruguay has 4.
Meanwhile, Ecuador secured a 2-1 victory over Bolivia in La Paz, with a objective within the closing moments of the match.
Kendry Paez scored for the guests shortly earlier than halftime, and Rodrigo Ramallo equalized within the 83rd minute.
Kevin Rodriguez’s late objective gave Ecuador its first three factors within the qualifiers.
In later fixtures on Thursday, Brazil aimed to hitch Argentina on the prime of the standings with a win towards Venezuela, whereas Chile and Peru have been additionally set to play.
Source: www.dailysabah.com