Argentina lost in Paraguay and Colombia could be caught at the top of CONMEBOL qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The game was marked by the non-expulsion of Omar Alderete in the first half, and the Paraguayan player scored the winning goal in the second half, 2-1 in this 11th round of South America. Brazilian referee Anderson Daronco’s decision not to show Paraguay a second yellow card, after challenging Messi, led to furious protests from the Argentina captain, even at half-time.
At the Defenders del Chaco Stadium, in Asunción, Alderete settled the game in the 47th minute, with a header, after a free kick taken by Diego Gómez from the left, which changed the score.
Argentina were ahead, in the 11th minute, with Lautaro Martínez, isolated by former Benfica player Enzo Fernández, and Paraguay equalized in the 19th minute, after a bicycle kick from Antonio Sanabria, after a center from the right by Gustavo Velázquez.
After conceding 2-1, Argentina, who played the 90 minutes with Benfica’s Nicolás Otamendi, dominated the entire second half, but, despite their desire, they showed little inspiration and only had two chances. clear of them, through Rodrigo De Paul, at 69, and reserve Taty Castellanos, already at 90+5.
The current world champions, who suffered only their fourth defeat in the last 68 games, are still at the top of the South American zone, with 22 points, but they can be caught today by Colombia (second, with 19), who visit Uruguay (fourth place). , with 16).
In third place, with 17 points, comes Brazil, the only team present in the entire World Cup, who lost in a 1-1 draw in Venezuela, in seventh place, with 12 points.
In fifth place, with 16 points, continues Ecuador, who received and defeated Bolivia last night 4-0, in a game marked by the expulsion of the foreigner José Segredo, in the 24th minute, which led to a penalty, scored by Enner Valencia, at the 26th.
Former Lion Gonzalo Plata, in the 28th and 49th minutes, and Alan Minda, in the 61st, scored the other goals for Ecuador, who have lost three points in the secretariat.
With this setback, Bolivia fell to eighth place, outside the classification zone, together with Peru (ninth place, with six) and Chile (10th, with five), who face each other today in Lima.
What are the main factors influencing Argentina’s performance in the CONMEBOL qualification round for the 2026 World Cup?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to today’s edition, where we discuss the recent tensions and results in the CONMEBOL qualification round for the 2026 World Cup. I’m joined by football analyst, Dr. Ana Torres. Ana, welcome!
Dr. Ana Torres: Thank you for having me. Exciting times in South American football!
Time.news Editor: Absolutely, Ana! Let’s dive right in. Argentina’s recent match against Paraguay ended in a surprising 2-1 defeat. What do you think contributed to Argentina’s performance in this match?
Dr. Ana Torres: Well, the match really turned on the non-expulsion of Omar Alderete in the first half. His aggressive challenge on Lionel Messi went unpunished, which many believe shifted the momentum of the game. Argentina started strong, with Lautaro Martínez opening the scoring, but failing to capitalize on that advantage ultimately cost them.
Time.news Editor: That was a critical moment, for sure. Speaking of key players, Alderete ended up scoring the winning goal too. What did that say about Paraguay’s resolve in this match?
Dr. Ana Torres: It highlights their fighting spirit! Alderete’s ability to shake off the controversy and score in the second half illustrates how essential mental toughness is in matches like these. Paraguay took their chances well, especially with Sanabria’s equalizer, which really reinvigorated their gameplay after falling behind early.
Time.news Editor: Argentina seemed to dominate possession in the second half but struggled to finish. Do you think the loss of creative inspiration contributed to that?
Dr. Ana Torres: Definitely. Argentina did have more of the ball and looked for openings, but they lacked the cutting edge often seen in their play. The substitutions, particularly bringing on Taty Castellanos in desperation, indicate they were searching for that spark, but it just didn’t materialize this time.
Time.news Editor: And with this defeat, Argentina retains its top position in the South American qualifiers, but Colombia isn’t far behind. What does this mean for the standings and Argentina’s strategy moving forward?
Dr. Ana Torres: It creates an interesting dynamic. Argentina now has to be wary as Colombia, who sits just three points behind, prepares to face Uruguay. Should Colombia win, it would significantly tighten the race at the top, creating pressure on Argentina to perform in their next fixtures. Moving forward, they need to refine their strategy, especially in creating goal-scoring opportunities.
Time.news Editor: Brazil’s situation is also noteworthy; they only managed a draw against Venezuela. How do you see their performance impacting their campaign?
Dr. Ana Torres: Brazil’s results have been inconsistent, and this draw further complicates their path. The pressure will mount on them to secure wins, especially with teams like Colombia and Paraguay gaining momentum. Historically, they’ve been a dominant force, but they must regain that edge if they want to qualify comfortably.
Time.news Editor: With matches coming thick and fast, what should fans watch for in upcoming games from these key teams?
Dr. Ana Torres: Fans should keep an eye on the tactical adjustments made by these teams. Argentina will certainly look to bounce back with a stronger offensive display, and Colombia needs to showcase their capability to seize the moment against tougher opponents. Every game can shift the landscape dramatically this campaign!
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Ana! Your insights are always invaluable. We will definitely keep an eye on the upcoming matches as the journey to the World Cup continues to unfold.
Dr. Ana Torres: Thank you! I’m looking forward to it, and it’s a thrilling time for South American football.