Argentina Squeaks Past Paraguay: Messi Absent

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Post on Nov 15, 2024

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Argentina Squeaks Past Paraguay: Messi Absent, Albiceleste Find Grit But Lack Sparkle

Asunción, Paraguay - Argentina narrowly escaped a potential upset on Tuesday, securing a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in a tense and tightly contested World Cup qualifier. The victory, secured by a second-half penalty from Nicolás González, was far from convincing, and the absence of Lionel Messi left a noticeable void in the Albiceleste’s attacking prowess.

Despite the lack of their talisman, Argentina dominated possession and created numerous chances in the first half. However, a combination of poor finishing and resolute Paraguayan defending ensured the score remained level at the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Argentina struggling to break down a stubborn Paraguayan defense. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 62nd minute when Nicolás González was brought down in the box by Gustavo Gómez. The Fiorentina forward stepped up to take the penalty himself, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and sending the travelling Argentinian fans into raptures.

The goal sparked hope for a comfortable finish, but Paraguay refused to go down without a fight. The hosts pressed hard in the final stages, forcing Argentina to defend resolutely and relying on a series of crucial interventions from goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

While the victory keeps Argentina at the top of the South American qualification table, the performance was a stark reminder of their reliance on Messi. The absence of the PSG star highlighted a lack of creativity and attacking potency in the Argentine squad. Coach Lionel Scaloni will need to find a way to unlock his team’s potential without their talisman if they are to achieve their ambitions in the upcoming World Cup.

Key Takeaways:

• Messi’s absence is keenly felt: Argentina lacked the usual spark and fluidity in attack without their captain.
• Argentina’s reliance on penalties: The winning goal came from the penalty spot, highlighting a lack of clinical finishing from open play.
• Paraguay’s resilience: The hosts put up a determined fight and nearly pulled off a shock result.
• Scaloni faces a challenge: The coach must find a way to generate attacking threat without Messi if Argentina is to contend for the World Cup.

This victory, while important, offered a glimpse into the challenges Argentina will face in the absence of their captain. The team’s performance leaves a sense of uneasiness as they head into the crucial final stretch of World Cup qualifiers.