Argentina player ratings vs Paraguay: Lionel Messi nearly invisible ...
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The Albiceleste captain was powerless to prevent his side dropping more points in World Cup qualifying
Paraguay pulled off a stunning home victory over Lionel Messi's Argentina on Thursday evening, defeating the Albiceleste 2-1 thanks to a second-half header from Omar Alderete.
Things started off well for the visitors, with Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez finding the back of the net just 11 minutes into the World Cup qualifier in Asuncion. Paraguay responded quickly, though, drawing level in the 19th minute off a genuinely stupendous overhead kick from Antonio Sanabria.
The two teams went in level at halftime but Argentina lost star defender Cristiano Romero to injury during the interval. He was replaced by Marseille's Leonardo Balerdi, who made the mistake that led to Paraguay's winner. Balerdi and centerback partner Nicolas Otamendi did not communicate in the box and a delightful in-swinging cross from Inter Miami teenage star Diego Gomez found Alderete, who headed home.
Argentina have now dropped points in three of their last four World Cup qualifiers. Despite the dip in form, they remain top of the South American standings, with 22 points, ahead of Tuesday's meeting with Peru, while Paraguay have consolidated their hold on sixth spot with their shock win.
GOAL rates all of the Argentina players on show on a frustrating night for Lionel Scaloni's side at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco...
