Lionel Messi, visibly frustrated, confronted referee Anderson Daronco during Argentina’s surprising 2-1 World Cup qualifying loss to Paraguay on Thursday night.
The confrontation occurred at the end of the first half, with Messi wagging his finger under Daronco’s nose, seemingly unhappy with the game’s physicality and the officials’ perceived inaction.
Earlier in the match, the Inter Miami star endured three heavy tackles from Paraguayan players, making his displeasure clear to the referee.
Despite a promising start, with Lautaro Martinez giving Argentina the lead in the 11th minute, the team couldn’t maintain their momentum.
Paraguay’s Antonio Sanabria equalized with a stunning overhead kick, and Omar Alderete scored the decisive goal shortly after halftime.
The loss marked Messi’s third consecutive defeat, following two MLS playoff losses with Inter Miami against Atlanta United, which ended their season.
Despite the setback, Argentina remains atop the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table, three points ahead of second-placed Colombia, who have a game in hand.
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Scaloni Defends Garnacho and Eyes Redemption Against Peru
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni voiced his support for Alejandro Garnacho and the rest of the team as they prepare for their next qualifier against Peru at La Bombonera on Wednesday.
Garnacho, 20, has faced scrutiny since breaking into the national team despite showing promise at Manchester United.
Scaloni remained optimistic, saying:
“I’m not here to criticize my players; I’m here to support them. We knew this game would be tough.
The team always fights and stands firm.
We’ll analyze what we can improve and prepare for Peru, another challenging opponent. Hopefully, we can bring joy to our fans.”
Scaloni also praised Garnacho’s contribution, adding:
“We’re looking to add depth with Garnacho. He thrives in games like this.
Taty Castellanos’s performance was also encouraging. We trust the work we’re doing and will focus on getting back on track.”
With Peru on the horizon, the Albiceleste are determined to bounce back and reaffirm their dominance in the World Cup qualifiers.
