Asuncion
\nA stunning bicycle kick from Antonio Sanabria and a second-half header from Omar Alderete gave Paraguay a well earned 2-1 home win over Lionel Messi\u2019s Argentina in the South American World Cup qualifiers on Thursday.
\nArgentina took the lead 11 minutes into the game when Enzo Fernandez\u2019s deep pass found Lautaro Martinez, whose thunderous shot was initially ruled out for offside, but was eventually awarded after a VAR review.
\nParaguay went close moments later when Gustavo Gomez\u2019s header from a corner hit the crossbar.
\nThe home side quickly tried again with Gustavo Velazquez\u2019s cross finding Sanabria, who unleashed a superb overhead kick that left goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez helpless.
\nThe shocked visitors struggled to find their feet, with Messi, 36, largely absent from the action for much of the first half and only managing one shot that went wide.
\nHowever, he was twice fouled by Alderete, but referee Anderson Daroco didn\u2019t show him a second yellow card before the break.
\n\u201cI think, overall, we played a great game. We controlled the ball. Their goals came from two of our mistakes. We need to fix our lapses on set pieces,\u201d striker Martinez said after the match to TyC sports.
\n\u201cThe (goal) at the start of the second half made everything more difficult. We have to congratulate the opponent, who defended very well,\u201d Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni told a press conference.
\nWorld Cup holders Argentina top the standings with 22 points from 11 games and will host ninth-placed Peru on Tuesday.
\nParaguay are sixth on 16 points, behind on goal difference to Ecuador, who hammered Bolivia 4-0 on Thursday, and Uruguay, who host second-placed Colombia on Friday.
\nEarlier, Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela, leaving them in third place on 17 points.
\nThe top six teams will qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Asuncion A stunning bicycle kick from Antonio Sanabria and a second-half header from Omar Alderete gave Paraguay a well earned 2-1 home win over Lionel Messi\u2019s Argentina in the South American World Cup qualifiers on Thursday. Argentina took the lead 11 minutes into the game when Enzo Fernandez\u2019s deep pass found Lautaro Martinez, whose thunderous […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-443834","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n