Argentina are back in action on Thursday with a trip to Asuncion to face a tough Paraguay test with a chance to inch closer to a FIFA 2026 World Cup berth. Lionel Messi and company saw off Bolivia last time out with a hat trick plus two assists in a thumping.

Argentina pays a visit to the Estadio Defensores del Chaco to square up against Paraguay in the first of the two CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier games it'll play to close out 2024's international action.

Argentina will remain on the top of the 10-team round robin competition with a 22 points in 11 matches, Brazil is provisionally in third place

World champions Argentina suffered a 2-1 defeat to Paraguay while rivals Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw at Venezuela as South America's big guns struggled in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Thursday.

Lionel Messi was captured in a heated confrontation with match officials during Argentina's unexpected 2-1 defeat to Paraguay in the 2026 World Cup qualifier.

Paraguay shocked Argentina 2-1 at Estadio Defensores del Chaco in a riveting FIFA World Cup qualifier. Lautaro Martínez started Argentina's score in the 11th minute; then, in the 19th minute, Paraguayan Antonio Sanabria equalised with an amazing bicycle kick.

Lionel Messi's Argentina fell 2-1 to Paraguay in Matchday 11 of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers at Defensores del Chaco stadium. Paraguay came back from Lautaro Martinez’s early goal to defeat Argentina 2-1 for Matchday 11 of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers at Defensores del Chaco stadium.

Lionel Messi failed to show up in the attack, and Paraguay's stars rose to the occasion as Argentina fell in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.