Omar Alderete should have been sent off in the first half, but he ‘saved himself’ and scored in the second goal the goal that won Paraguay against Argentina (2-1), on Thursday, in the 11th qualifying round of South America for The World Cup. World’ 2026.
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, but he was not supposed to be on the field from the 37th minute.
The Spanish central defender of Getafe received a yellow card in the 33rd minute, after a strong challenge on Lionel Messi and, just four minutes later, he returned to the Argentine captain, who was sneaking in a counterattack, but the referee Brazil Anderson Daronco I. did not ‘want’ to expel him.
Then, the result was 1-1, in a clash in which Argentina took the lead, in the 11th minute, with Lautaro Martínez, isolated by former Benfica player Enzo Fernández, and Paraguay equalized in the 19th minute, after a shot from the bicycle with Antonio Sanabria, after right center 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, continues Brazil, the only team present in the entire World Cup, which ended with a 1-1 draw in Venezuela, mainly due to the ‘star’ Vinicius Júnior, who missed a penalty, as well as a rebound. , at 62 minutes.
The Brazilians took the lead in the 43rd minute, with a direct free kick from Raphinha, in great form at FC Barcelona, but the hosts responded in the 46th minute, through midfielder Telasco Segovia, from Casa Pia.
With this point achieved, Venezuela rose to seventh place, in the playoffs, with 12 points.
In fifth place, with 16 points, continues Ecuador, who received and won Bolivia 4-0, in a game marked by the expulsion of the stranger José Segredo, in the 24th minute, which led to a penalty, scored by Enner Valencia, in the game. 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.
How might Paraguay’s win against Argentina influence their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup?
Time.news Interview: Analyzing Paraguay’s Remarkable Win Against Argentina
Editor: Good day, everyone! Welcome to today’s interview on Time.news. We have a special guest with us, a football expert with an extensive background in South American football, Dr. Sofia Cruz. Today, we’ll delve into Paraguay’s stunning 2-1 victory over Argentina. Dr. Cruz, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Cruz: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here to discuss such an exciting match.
Editor: Let’s get right to it. Omar Alderete has become a hot topic since the match. He scored the winning goal but was also arguably lucky to stay on the pitch after receiving a yellow card early on. What’s your take on that situation?
Dr. Cruz: It’s quite controversial, isn’t it? Alderete’s challenge on Messi was forceful, and typically, that would warrant a second yellow card. His ability to ‘save himself’ is a testament to his resilience, but it raises ethical questions about officiating in critical matches like these. The referee, Anderson Daronco, certainly had a pivotal role in the game, and this particular decision could have changed the outcome completely.
Editor: To your point, the match was already intense, with Argentina initially leading. How do you think that momentum shifted after Paraguay equalized?
Dr. Cruz: That’s the heart of the match’s narrative. Paraguay’s equalizer came at a crucial moment when they were under pressure. Antonio Sanabria’s incredible bicycle kick not only invigorated the players but also the fans. The energy shift can’t be underestimated; once Paraguay leveled the score, they believed they could take on the reigning champions. This psychological uplift is often as significant as the tactical adjustments made during the match.
Editor: Speaking of tactics, Argentina seemed to dominate possession in the second half. What do you think went wrong for them in terms of execution?
Dr. Cruz: Argentina’s dominance in possession didn’t translate to clear goal-scoring opportunities, which is indeed concerning. Their players seemed to lack creativity and precision when it came to breaking down Paraguay’s defense. While they had experienced players like Nicolás Otamendi on the field, Argentina’s reliance on individual brilliance, specifically from stars like Messi, was evident. Without cohesive team play and effective movement off the ball, chances become stagnant.
Editor: With such strong implications for World Cup qualification, how crucial is this win for Paraguay moving forward?
Dr. Cruz: This victory is monumental for Paraguay. It not only boosts their confidence in the qualifiers but also solidifies their position in the standings. Winning against a team like Argentina not only earns them points but also elevates the morale of the squad. Looking ahead, they need to harness this momentum and maintain a robust performance to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Editor: Lastly, what do you foresee for the future of these two teams as they prepare for upcoming qualifiers?
Dr. Cruz: For Paraguay, this win can be a turning point, and building on this result will be key for their growth. They need to continue focusing on their defensive strengths while becoming more efficient in attack. Argentina, on the other hand, must learn from this setback. They have the talent, but they need to find a way to adapt when faced with pressure and adversity. It’s vital for them to recalibrate and find solutions in their attacking strategy.
Editor: Thank you so much, Dr. Cruz, for your insights on this thrilling match! It’s going to be an exciting time ahead in the road to the World Cup. We appreciate your time!
Dr. Cruz: Thank you for having me! Looking forward to more exciting football ahead.