A stunning bicycle kick from Antonio Sanabria and a second-half header from Omar Alderete gave Paraguay a well earned 2-1 home win over Argentina in the South American World Cup qualifiers on Thursday.

World champions Argentina suffered a 2-1 defeat to Paraguay while rivals Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw at Venezuela as South America's big guns struggled in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Thursday.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina are down 2-1 against Paraguay in the first half for Matchday 11 of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers at Defensores del Chaco stadium. Check out our live updates! Paraguay lead Argentina 2-1 for Matchday 11 of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers at Defensores del Chaco stadium.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is confident there will be Lionel Messi jerseys in the home section despite the Paraguayan Football Association's ban on rival shirts.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is confident there will be Lionel Messi jerseys in the home section despite the Paraguayan Football Association's (APF) ban on rival shirts ahead of Thursday's South American World Cup 2026 qualifier.

Lionel Scaloni says “there will be Argentina shirts” in the home end when Lionel Messi and Co face Paraguay, with fans expected to defy a ban.