Lionel Messi’s Argentina fell 2-1 to Paraguay in Matchday 11 of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers at Defensores del Chaco stadium.
By Natalia Lobo


By Natalia Lobo
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 and company had an underwhelming performance, and now they are three matches away from home without winning.
At only 11 minutes of the first half, Enzo Fernandez provided a great assist for Lautaro Martinez to find the net. It was Martinez’s 31th goal with the Argentina national team, and he is now tied with Gonzalo Higuain in the all-time goalscorers table.
However, the early advantage wasn’t enough for Scaloni’s men. Antonio Sanabria responded with an terrific overheard kick to past Emiliano Martinez. Then, at the start of the second half, Omar Alderete found the net after a free-kick.
That was all for today!
Paraguay was the better team today, and they defeated Argentina 2-1 at Los Defensores del Chaco.
Thank you for staying with us!
Paraguay defeated La Albiceleste with goals by Antonio Sanabria and Omar Alderete, after Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring.
Argentina almost scores, but Valentin Castellanos’ header went wide. It seems like La Albiceleste are going to lose.
Argentina only have six more minutes to try to tie the game.
Julian Alvarez left the pitch, replaced by Valentin Castellanos. In Paraguay, Almiron is also subbed off. Alejandro Romero enters.
Ramon Sosa had a dangerous free kick, but Emiliano Martinez appeared to save La Albiceleste.
Nicolas Otamendi see the yellow card after he stepped up on a Paraguay’s player. Meanwhile, there are new changes in Paraguay: Enciso and Bobadilla out, Sosa and Villasanti are in.
Messi with a great shot that went wide just by a little! Argentina are still down 2-1 in Asuncion.
Leandro Paredes is in, Enzo Fernandez is out. Gonzalo Montiel replaces Nahuel Molina.
Paraguay want more. Alderete has another chance, but his chance goes wide.
Antonio Sanabria and Diego Gomez are subbed off. Isidro Pitta and Angel Romero enter the pitch.
Argentina with the counter attack! De Paul had a great chance to equalize but his shot went wide!
Garnacho’s entry has helped Argentina, who are now moving the ball to try to find ways to get closer to Roberto Fernandez’s box.
Lionel Scaloni moves some pieces. Alexis Mac Allister leaves the pitch, and Manchester United star enters.
Lionel Messi appeared and got a free-kick. However, it’s far away from the box, and nothing happened.
Argentina haven’t been effective tonight against Paraguay. Lionel Scaloni’s men have only recorded four shots, and only one (Lautaro’s goal) was on target.
Andres Cubas also received a yellow card.
Lionel Scaloni’s men are suffering to control the game. Paraguay are comfortable, while La Albiceleste don’t find their way out.
Omar Alderete scores after a free-kick! Paraguay lead Argentina 2-1 at the start of the second half!
At the start of the first half, Argentina plays without Cuti Romero. Leonardo Balerdi enters the pitch.
The first half is gone. The match has been hard-fought so far. Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring, but Tony Sanabria tied the game with an incredible bicycle goal.
While Argentina aren’t being as effective and dangerous as against Bolivia, Messi got his chance to enter the box. It ended ip in anything.
It seemed like Almiron wasn’t going to continue playing after what appear a muscle strain. However, the player stayed in the pitch.
With the match still 1-1, both teams are looking to break the tie. Almirón recovered the ball after a bad pass, but Emi Martinez find the ball easily.
Alderete tackles Messi in the midfield, and Argentina got a free-kick. However, Alderete doesn’t receive the second yellow card.
Lionel Messi appeared to give a long pass to Julian Alvarez. But the ‘Spider’ couldn’t find the ball to sent it into the net. Match still 1-1.
Argentina don’t need much to bring danger to Fernandez’s box. However, they haven’t found the second goal yet. Lionel Messi has been absent so far.
Tony Sanabria’s goal has changed the match again. Argentina are trying to control the ball, while the hosts will wait for an opportunity to counter attack.
Tony Sanabria equalize the match with an incredible bicycle goal!
Lautaro’s goal is valid! Argentina is leading the match at Defensores del Chaco thanks to El Toro.
Argentina recovered the ball in attack, and Lautaro Martinez had the chance to scored. However, the Inter Milan’s forward was in offside. However, VAR images appear to show the goal was legal…
After the corner kick, Paraguay had two shots. Nothing to worry Emiliano Martinez, but the hosts are sending clear messages that they won’t wait to bring danger to the box.
Paraguay had their first chance after Julian Alvarez lost the ball in the midfield. The hosts have a corner kick.
Argentina had a great combination to enter the box. However, Lautaro’s center didn’t find anyone to shoot. Paraguay responded with a timid attack.
Argentina are controlling the ball in the first minutes of the match. Paraguay are well positioned in the field to not let them advance.
Argentina and Paraguay are playing at Defensores del Chaco!
Players are entering the pitch at Defensores del Chaco Stadium for Matchday 11 of World Cup Qualifiers. All is set for the national anthems. The match starts at 6:30 PM (ET).
Ahead of the match, the Paraguayan Federation said that “Fans will not be permitted to enter with Argentina, Barcelona, or Inter (Miami) jerseys bearing Messi’s name, or any attire affiliated with visiting players” for sections designated for Paraguayan fans in Defensores del Chaco.
Fans of Paraguay await the start of the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Paraguay and Argentina (Christian Alvarenga/Getty Images)
Argentina’s defense has to watch out for Antonio ‘Tony’ Sanabra, one of the most prolific players from Paraguay. The Torino’s forward has three goals in six matches in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Paraguay’s forward Antonio Sanabria (Christian Alvarenga/Getty Images)
Messi has another record on sight. If the Argentine captain provides one more assist today, he can equalize USMNT’s Landon Donovan’s record of 58 international assists.
Paraguay will play against Argentina with this lineup: Roberto Fernandez; Gustavo Velazquez, Gustavo Gomez, Omar Alderete, Junior Alonso; Miguel Almiron, Damian Bobadilla, Andres Cubas, Diego Gomez; Julio Enciso and Tony Sanabria.
Just as against Bolivia, Argentina are going to play with their dangerous trio: Lautaro Martinez, Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez. In their last match, Messi not only scored a hat-trick, but he provided two assists for both Alvarez and Martinez.
While Argentina has the better record against Paraguay in the head to head, in the past few years La Albirroja has been a tough opponent for them. Here’s Messi record against their upcoming rival:
Lionel Messi of Argentina runs the field (Daniel Jayo/Getty Images)
Paraguay hosts the World Champions at Defensores del Chaco stadium, which has a capacity for 42,354 people. The last time La Albiceleste played in this same stage, they were held to a goalless draw in a match for the 2022 World Cup Qualifying.
A view inside Defensores del Chaco Stadium (Nathalia Aguilar – Pool/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi is in the starting lineup! According to journalist Gaston Edul, Argentina is playing with:
Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cuti Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi; Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.
Today’s referee is Brazilian Anderson Daronco.
He officiated three matches for La Albiceleste: two victories, a 3-1 win over Ecuador in 2017 (the match where Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia), and a 2-1 win against Chile in Calama in 2022. He was also in one draw, precisely a goalless match against Paraguay in Asunción in 2021.
The clash between Paraguay and Argentina for the Matchday 11 of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers will kick off at 6:30 PM (ET).
If you want to watch the match in the US, it will be available for viewers on Fanatiz.
Welcome to our live blog of the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers match between Paraguay and Argentina!
International soccer returns with an exciting date of World Cup Qualifiers. Argentina want to maintain their place atop of the CONMEBOL standings with a victory against Paraguay at El Defensores del Chaco in Asuncion.
Stay with us so you don’t miss a single thing with minute by minute updates!
Natalia is a sports journalist at Bolavip US, where she covers soccer, tennis, and the broader sports world. She also works as an entertainment journalist at Spoiler US, focusing on the film industry, series, reality TV, and celebrity news. With a diverse background that includes reporting on sports, fashion, and culture, she brings a rich and varied perspective to her current roles. Natalia holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and Media from the Universidad Central of Venezuela (UCV) and has over eight years of experience in digital media. She has previously contributed her bilingual skills in English and Spanish to outlets such as Revista Exclusiva and Cambio16.
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