Buenos Aires: Argentina hosted Paraguay in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Buenos Aires on Thursday (12 November). The matched in a 1-1 draw, after a Lionel Messi goal was ruled out by VAR.
Angel Romero opened the scoring for Paraguay on 21 minutes as he scored from the spot after Lucaz Martinez Quarta fouled Miguel Almiron. This gave the visitors the lead.
Although the goal was equalised by Nicolas Gonzalez on 41 minutes just before halftime when he scored a header from Giovani Lo Celso’s corner kick.
During the second half, Messi scored in the 57th minute which was later chalked off by the VAR due a foul by Gonzalez on Romero, 50 metres away from the goal.
The scoreline remained the same thereafter as no further goal was scored. Nicolas Otamendi said post match,”I think in the first half we were a bit uncomfortable with the pressure but when we managed to pass the ball about and find spaces we spent almost the entire second period in their half of the field,” Otamendi said. “We got the goal but unfortunately it didn’t stand.”
The Top 4 teams, from the 10 team South Americam group, will make it directly to the World Cup main tournament and the fifth placed team will go for an inter-regional play off.
As of now, both the teams are unbeaten after 3 games each. Next up for Argentina is Peru in an away fixature as Messi and co would hope to win the match before returning for club duties.
