Julio Enciso of Paraguay vies for the ball with Alexis Mac Allister of Argentina during their World Cup qualifier. MONTEVIDEO – It was not a good day for the South American giants in their World Cup qualifiers on Nov 14, as world champions Argentina suffered a 2-1 away loss to Paraguay while rivals Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw at Venezuela. It started well for Lionel Scaloni’s team, also reigning Copa America champions, as they grabbed an early lead through Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.
But it was an advantage that was to last just eight minutes as the home side drew level in spectacular fashion. Gustavo Velazquez whipped in a cross and Antonio Sanabria leapt in the air and fired past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez with a brilliantly executed bicycle kick. Filled with belief and roared on by the crowd in Asuncion, Paraguay battled hard in what was a scrappy encounter.
Two minutes after the interval, Omar Alderete grabbed what proved to be the winner, rising at the back post to head home a cross from Inter Miami midfielder Diego Gomez. Despite the loss, Argentina remain top of the standings on 22 points while Paraguay move into the sixth automatic qualification spot. “I think, overall, we played a great game.
We controlled the ball. Their goals came from two of our mistakes,” Martinez said after the match. “The (goal) at the start of the second half made everything more difficult.
We have to congratulate the opponent, who defended very well,” Scal.
