Argentina vs Paraguay: score, goals, highlights  | FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier

What next for Lionel Messi and Argentina?

The second game of Argentina's October double header will see them travel to Lima to take on Peru on Tuesday 17 October, a game you will also be able to follow live coverage of right here on AS USA. 

Paraguay, meanwhile, host Bolivia still looking for their first victory and indeed goal. 

Three wins out of three, nine points from nine means Messi and Argentina are already well on the way to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026. 

Lionel Messi back after injury

It was definitely not one of Lionel Messi's best performances yet he very nearly stole the headlines with a late free-kick, which came back off the post. The Inter Miami star also hit the woodwork from a corner, although only he will know if that's what he was trying to do...

Argentina and Lionel Scaloni will just be happy to have their captain back on the field injury free, which may also have put smiles on faces in Miami. 

Three games, three wins for Argentina

They only just sneaked it in the end tonight, but that's three straight wins without conceding a goal for the World Cup holders. 

Full time: Argentina 1-0 Paraguay

A victory with the minimum of fuss for the World Cup holders! Never in doubt. 

Mini match report on its way. 

This has been really poor from Paraguay. They've never looked like getting back into this. 

Ocampos has also come on, replacing González. 

Lo Celso gets the final few seconds, replacing De Paul. 

Four minutes of injury time, by the way. 

Messi hits the post!

For a second time! Almost textbook from the free-kick!

Messi free-kick coming up

Hold on. Wait a second. 

Messi is fouled on the edge of the box and we all know who's going to take it...

It's not been Messi's night either. With Paraguay half committing players forward, there's a shooting chance for the great man from range but his shot is again blocked by an opponent. 

González blasts wide!

Nico, Nico, Nico. It's just not your night.

Similar to one in the first half, he gets the ball on the angle and aims for the far post, only for the ball to skip wide via a minor deflection (it wouldn't have gone in anyway). 

Avalos on for Almirón for the last few minutes.

Just over from Lautaro!

A lovely moment (unless you're Paraguayan) as Messi sits Villasanti down on his backside and plays a pass round him. The ball is finally worked to Lautaro, who fakes to shoot a couple of times but eventually gets a shot away, which flies just over!

More "olés" from the home crowd. Paraguay are going to have to go for this a little bit more with under 10 minutes to go. 

De Paul again in the wars. This time it's Sanabria who barges him over. 

The Argentina support really not impressed with Rojas just aimlessly kicking the ball out for a throw under pressure from Nico González. 

Paredes replaces Fernández for Argentina. 

The second period has definitely been much more of a contest, although it's been less entertaining, with fewer chances. That said, we've got a grandstand finishing coming up, with just one goal separating the teams. 

Messi hits the post from a corner!

Has Lionel Messi ever scored directly from a corner? I don't believe he has, but he almost did there! His delivery flies over everyone and comes off the outside of the far post!

Alonso is forced off for the visitors, with Villalba taking his place. 

Then, Messi finds space in the box and also looks for Lautaro in the middle, but his right-footed cross is intercepted. 

Compared to the first half, Argentina haven't created much in the second. Fernández breaks into the box and looks for Martínez in the middle but can't quite nudge the ball in his direction. 

Sanabria and Ojeda on for Bareiro and Campuzano for the visitors. 

Messi's limited impact so far

I gave Messi the big build-up but we've not seen a great deal from him so far. In fact, we've seen him lose possession more than keep it. In his defence, he's been out for a few weeks. Still warming up. 

De Paul forces Colonel to save!

A fine pass from Mac Allister finds a fine pass from De Paul, whose first-time volley doesn't sneak past Colonel at the near post. 

Paraguay briefly looked as if they were going to start attacking more but Argentina have had a huge spell of possession, with the visitors forced to defend deep.

Bareira dispossesses Messi just as the Argentina captain was looking to thread a pass through. One to tell the grandchildren. 

A first threatening moment of the half for González but it's a familiar outcome. He breaks into the box but can't pick out Messi in the middle. 

De Paul gets clattered into once again, this time by Sánchez. Paraguay letting Argentina know they're there. 

They're also looking a bit more dangerous going forward. Sosa has the chance to get the ball across goal but it's an Argentine head that gets on the end of it to clear. 

Paraguay were giving up a lot of chances towards the end of the first half but there have been none for the home team at the start of the second. Can they build on it?

Ooft, another body blow as Sosa clatters into De Paul, who goes down briefly. He'll be OK to carry on, though. 

First sight of goal for Messi!

That looked tailor made for Messi to curl one into the top corner! But Campuzano did really well to block the playmaker's effort. 

Messi takes the captain's armband

It looked as it Messi actually wanted Otamendi to keep it but the defender insisted on giving it to his teammate. Not that it matters greatly...

Lionel Messi comes off the bench for Argentina

Here he is! Messi has taken to the field, replacing Julián Álvarez!

Paraguay almost equalise!

While we were all distracted by Messi, Paraguay actually create a chance! And it's a great one! 

Almirón plays the ball through for Sosa, whose low strike clips Martínez and bobbles just wide!

It's definitely happening. Final instructions for the Inter Miami star. 

Messi warming up

It looks like the main man is about to make his entrance.

Handbags between Bariero and Romero, with the Paraguayan seeing yellow and the Argentine, for some reason, not. 

A couple of early crosses from the hosts not finding their mark, with De Paul and Mac Allister still getting back into the groove. 

Paraguay have made a change at half-time by the way, with Rojas replacing Ramírez.

"Messi! Messi!" chants!

No Messi, Messi on the field yet, however. 

Second half underway!

Paraguay kick off the second period! I can confirm that Emi Martínez is still alive and hasn't fallen asleep. 

The teams are making their way back to the field, with Argentina out first. If Paraguay had decided to go home after that first half, I wouldn't blame them. 

Will Lionel Messi come on for Argentina in the second half?

He did at the start of the second half in Inter Miami's last game against FC Cincinnati. Will we get a glimpse of the great man himself tonight?

Half time: Argentina 1-0 Paraguay

This has been one-way traffic so far and Paraguay are somewhat lucky they’re only a goal down. Otamendi did superbly well to keep his volley down from De Paul’s second minute corner, although the Argentina captain strolled into the box completely unmarked.

Left-winger Nico González has been the hosts’ main attacking threat but has been incredibly wasteful, failing to pick out teammates from a number of crossing opportunities and also shooting wide when he should’ve done better late in the half.

Attacker Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez have shown flashes of what they can do together, the former teeing up the latter for a shot that was deflected just over, while Rodrigo De Paul curled a sublime effort off the inside of the post as Argentina pushed for a second.

As for Paraguay, they have offered absolutely no attacking threat, with Emi Martínez a virtual spectator in the home goal.

A captain's performance from Otamendi

Not only has Nicolás Otamendi scored the only goal so far, he's also made a couple of important blocks to keep Paraguay at arm's length at the other end. A captain's display.

Half-time: Argentina 1-0 Paraguay

One-way traffic in Argentina's favour and the hosts lead through Otamendi's early goal!

I don't think Emi Martínez has touched the ball in about half-an-hour. 

Wow. I'm really not trying to pick on Nico González but he's been so, so wasteful. Rather than shoot, Enzo lays it off to the winger, whose angled shot goes wide of the post. Should've done better. 

De Paul hits the post!

What a strike! De Paul gets the ball on the edge of the box, shuffles one way and shoots, only to see the ball come back off the inside of the post! So unlucky!

We've seen next to nothing from Paraguay in attack but Bareiro looked to line one up from distance. Otamendi, who has been everywhere, makes another block. 

Colonel kept busy!

Colonel is again called into action as Martínez gets away down the right. His low cross-cum-shot is beaten away by the Paraguay keeper and De Paul is unable to head in the rebound. 

González header saved!

González hasn't had much joy against Ramírez but he gets the run on him at the back post and heads goalwards, only for Colonel to make a fine save with his feet!

Incredible feet from Mac Allister on the edge of the box threatens to give him a clear sight of goal but Paraguay get enough bodies between him and the goal to advert the danger. 

A fantastic flick from Lautaro allows Enzo to play in González down the left. And guess what? His cross hits Ramírez, just for a change. 

There's no messing about in this game, with both teams giving as good as they're getting in a physical sense. Campuzano gets stuck into Tagliafico and leaves one on the Argentina left-back.

From that corner, a neat piece of play gives De Paul a chance to shoot but his low effort is easily dealt with by Colonel. 

Inches over from Lautaro!

I almost spoke too soon! Almost!

Álvarez darts into the right-hand side of the box and cuts the ball back for Martínez, whose first-time strike is deflected inches over!

28 minutes in and we're getting "olés" from the Argentina fans at Estadio Monumental. Come on, guys, it's only 1-0. 

Otamendi puts Argentina in front

Otamendi captains the team in Messi's absence. The perfect start. 

Balbuena makes crucial interception!

Two brilliant passes and Lautaro Martínez is clean through! Mac Allister finds De Paul, who threads it through the Paraguay defence for the Inter striker, whose slightly loose touch allows Balbuena to get back and make an interception. 

Oh, the offside flag went up anyway...

Álvarez tests Colonel!

Good link-up play from Argentina's front two sees Martínez feed Álvarez, who shoots from a tight angle but can't get the ball past Colonel at the near post. 

Otamendi's goal takes slight deflection

I've seen Otamendi's goal a few times now and it looks like it takes a little nick off Richard Sánchez, which doesn't help Colonel. The Argentina captain should never have been left all alone, in any case. 

A lot of free-kicks so far. Very stop-start. 

De Paul again delivers but has much less success this time, failing to find a teammate in the box. 

Alonso is the first Paraguayan in the book after he jumps into a tackle with Mac Allister.  A free-kick in a dangerous position coming up. 

Another chance for González to make something happen but Ramírez again has his number. Not happening for the Fiorentina man yet. 

Our first glimpse of Almirón, who skips away from two Argentines but is eventually crowded out. The hosts working really hard in the opening stages. 

That was almost a beautiful layoff from Enzo for Lautaro Martínez but the Chelsea's man touch just has a little too much on it and it runs through to Colonel before the Inter striker can latch onto it!

González as definitely been the outball for Argentina but he's not quite been on his game so far. 

Another crunching challenge from Cuti Romero. Did you expect anything different? He did get the ball that time, at least. 

González is in ACRES of space and gets away down the left, with not a Paraguay shirt in sight. He's got Álvarez making tracks in the middle but produces a truly awful cross, which goes out of play. 

Paraguay are just starting to show signs of being a capable soccer team. Sosa picks up possession in the Argentina half and drives goalward before being clipped by Mac Allister. The free-kick is easily cleared, however. 

Romero charges through the back of Sosa and gives away a foul. No yellow this time (but you've seen them given). 

Almost a small glimmer of hope for Paraguay as Mac Allister loses the ball inside his own half. Bareiro shoots from the edge of the box but Otamendi blocks. 

Enzo Fernández sees yellow

A nice bit of skill in midfield from Enzo but he ends up overunning the ball and catches Gómez pretty high with his studs. He complains but that's a clear yellow. 

Paraguay have barely had a kick so far. How are they going to react to conceding so early on. The game plan has been well and truly ripped up. 

Not great defending, it must be said, but Otamendi did brilliantly did keep that down. You've seen them go anywhere before. 

De Paul's corner goes all the way to the back post to the onrushing Otamendi, who hits it first time on the volley low past Colonel!

A load of early possession for the hosts, who have now won the first corner of the game through Nico González!

Underway in Buenos Aires!

Argentina get the ball rolling!

Lautaro Martínez comes in for Argentina

Inter's Lautaro Martínez is the one new face in the Argentina team, replacing the injured Ángel Di María. 

Paraguay team to play Argentina: América's Sánchez starts

Colonel; Balbuena, Gómez, Alonso; Ramírez, Campuzano, Sánchez, Espinoza; Almirón, Bareiro, Sosa.

Argentina team to play Paraguay: Messi on the bench

Emiliano Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister; Nico González; Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez.

Argentina's is one of the longer national anthems, but well worth it. What a spectacle!

Get ready for the (non-existent) roof to be raised.

National anthem time!

Paraguay up first!

FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 QUALIFIER

Why is Lionel Messi not starting for Argentina against Paraguay in the World Cup 2026 qualifier?

Lionel Messi starts on the bench for Argentina

In case you're just joining us, the big news is that there's no Lionel Messi for Argentina! But there might be later on, with the Inter Miami star named on the bench. 

Paraguay at the FIFA World Cup

You'll probably not be surprise to hear Paraguay's World Cup record is slightly less impressive than today's opponents. They qualified for the first ever tournament in 1930 then made further appearances in 1938, 1950, 1958 and 1986. 

But they suddenly became World Cup regulars, reaching four tournaments in a row between 1998 and 2010, which was their last tournament. 

Argentina at the FIFA World Cup

Argentina have only ever failed to qualify for the World Cup once, in 1970, although they withdrew from the 1938, 1950 and 1954 competitions. 

The won two of out three editions in 1978 (on home soil) and 1986 (inspired by Maradona) but had to wait 36 years for the next victory, which Messi may have had a helping hand in last year in Qatar. 

Three stars.

Electric atmosphere expected at Estadio Monumental

Fans of few countries are as passionate about their national team as in Argentina, which I think the celebrations following their 2022 World Cup win proved. Expect an electric atmosphere inside Estadio Monumental tonight, although there will be a fair few Paraguayans in the house adding to it. 

Confirmation of Messi-less Argentina XI vs Paraguay

Just in case you didn't believe Roy (you should've done because he knows his stuff), here's official confirmation of the Argentina team, minus Lionel Messi, from the Argentina team themselves. 

Emiliano Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister; Nico González; Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez.

How have Paraguay started FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification?

It's hard not to qualify for the World Cup for the bigger South American nations these days, although that's unlikely to be the case for Paraguay, who could find themselves fighting for the final qualification places. 

They started with a goalless draw at home to Peru before losing 1-0 in Venezuela.

Not great. 

How have Argentina started FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification?

Before I was rude interrupted by Argentina revealing Messi wouldn't be starting the game, I was just about to tell you how the two teams had kicked off their qualification campaigns. I've already mentioned La Albiceleste's start, which saw them win both qualifiers in September. 

Messi's free-kick saw off Ecuador in Buenos Aires before Enzo Fernández, Nicolás Tagliafico and Nico González scored in a comfortable victory in Bolivia. 

Argentina and Messi's arrival at Estadio Monumental

This was Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates arriving at Estadio Monumental a little earlier. The Inter Miami man certainly looks in good spirits, maybe because he knows he'll get to given a tiring defence a chasing later on in the game. 

A cameo appearance today followed by a start against Peru on Tuesday? Maybe...

Argentina team to play Paraguay: Lionel Messi starts on the bench

As we suspected, Messi starts on the bench! That just means he'll be fresh to do his stuff later on, right? Fiorentina's Nico González gets a chance to impress in his place.

Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister; Nico González; Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.

2026 WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION

How many South American teams will play in the 2026 World Cup? How can Lionel Messi’s Argentina qualify?

While we're patiently waiting for the Argentina line-up, and before we take a look at how the two teams have fared in qualification so far, here's how CONMEBOL World Cup qualification works. If you feel as if you've never seen a World Cup without Argentina or Brazil in it, there are several reasons for that. And that will only continue now that the tournament will expand to 48 teams in time for the 2026 edition. 

Paraguay team to play Argentina: América's Sánchez starts

Paraguay have gone first with their line-up for the game, with Almirón starting on the right-side of attack, as expected. Club América's Richard Sánchez also plays in midfield.

Colonel; Balbuena, Gómez, Alonso; Ramírez, Campuzano, Sánchez, Espinoza; Almirón, Bareiro, Sosa

Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona tifo

A large tifo showing Messi and Maradona is expected to be on display at Estadio Monumental during Argentina vs Paraguay. 

It seems incredibly unfair that two of the best players in history are from the very same country (Brazilians would argue the same thing). Leave somebody for the rest of us, come on. 

Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires hosts Argentina vs Paraguay

Argentina defeated Ecuador 1-0 at River Plate's home ground back in September and will also host Uruguay here in November. Following home games haven't as yet been confirmed, although it wouldn't be a surprise to see most of them played at Estadio Monumental. 

Premier League star Miguel Almirón Paraguay's leading light

It's probably fair to say the members of the Paraguay roster are not household names in the same way as their Argentina counterparts, certainly after their World Cup win.

Newcastle winger Miguel Almirón, who starred in MLS with Atlanta United, will be best known to an international audience, especially after his superb 2022-23 season, when he scored 11 goals in the English top flight. 

Early Paraguay team news: Inter Miami midfielder Diego Gómez ruled out

Under normal circumstances, Messi could have been lining up against his Inter Miami teammate Diego Gómez. However, the youngster is one of three midfielder who have been forced to pull out of the Paraguay squad through injury, all of whom play in MLS. Andrés Cubas of Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers' Cristhian Paredes are the others. 

What injury has Lionel Messi been suffering with?

After Messi asked to come off towards the end of the win against Ecuador, the player himself claimed he was simply tired and that him not finishing games would become a more and more common occurrence. Inter Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino gave similar reasoning, although the MLS club later revealed Messi had aggravated an old scar tissue injury (rather than suffering a new problem). 

Either way, it's (understandably) taken the 36-year-old a little bit of time to get back onto the field and there must be still some questions over just exactly how fit he is after playing just 35 minutes of soccer over the last few weeks. 

Early Argentina team news: Dybala among other absentees

Roma's Paulo Dybala would have been a fantastic replacement for Di María, wouldn't he? Too bad, as he was forced to pull out of the squad after taking a blow to his knee in Roma’s win over Cagliari in Serie A on Sunday. 

Defenders Lisandro Martínez and Juan Foyth, as well as attacker Ángel Correa, are the other injury absentees from the roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. None of them would have been likely starters though. 

Early Argentina team news: injured Di Maria misses out

One man who will definitely not be playing against Paraguay is Messi's old pal Ángel Di Maria. The pair have been thick as thieves together with the Argentina, winning most of their caps alongside one another. The ex-Real Madrid winger captained the team in Messi's absence in Bolivia but won't be playing in Buenos Aires, or in Lima next week, after suffering a thigh injury in Benfica's Champions League defeat to Inter last week. 

What a superb photo from the 2022 World Cup final, by the way. 

Early Argentina team news: will Lionel Messi start?

Let's not kid ourselves. This is the question on everybody's lips. 

Unless you've been living on the moon, you'll be aware that Lionel Messi has been struggling with an injury for the last little while. Basically since the last international break, when he scored the winning goal against Ecuador before being replaced due to “tiredness”.

After not playing in Argentina’s 3-0 win in Bolivia, the former Barça star could only manage 37 minutes of Inter Miami's MLS win over Toronto FC before missing four consecutive matches, including the US Open Cup final loss to Houston Dynamo. He made his return to the side as a second-half substitute on Saturday but was unable to stop his team from falling to a home defeat to FC Cincinnati. 

He's in the squad and has trained fully with the rest of his teammates this week but there has been some suggestion he will be eased back into things from the bench. Stay tuned for more!

WORLD CUP QUALIFYING

Argentina vs Paraguay: times, how to watch on TV, stream online | World Cup 2026 qualifiers

Before we get down to business, you may still be looking for a way to watch today's game. If you’re in the United States, then you’re in luck as there is a way and Will is here with the details! 

Just be sure to stick with me too, please!

What time does Argentina vs Paraguay kick off?

The clash in Buenos Aires gets underway at 8:00 p.m. local time, which makes it 7:00 p.m. ET and 4:00 p.m. PT. The weekend is almost upon us (Friday counts, right?) and you're about to sit down and watch some of the world's very best (Messi included?) strut their stuff. Life is good. 

Over the next 90 minutes or so I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty more. Let's do this!

Hello and welcome to Argentina vs Paraguay!

How about this for a way to (more or less) kick off a week-long feast of international soccer. The world champions are here and are back on the march towards the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will, of course, be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

After starting off with wins over Ecuador and Bolivia, La Albiceleste will be expecting another against Paraguay at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

But will they have to do it without Lionel Messi? We’ll be discussing that, and plenty more, over the next little while.

I’m Roddy and thanks for joining me for this one!