World champions Argentina suffered a 2-1 defeat to Paraguay whereas rivals Brazil have been held to a 1-1 draw at Venezuela as South America’s huge weapons struggled in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Thursday. It began effectively for Lionel Scaloni’s group, additionally reigning Copa America champions, as they grabbed an early lead by Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez. Enzo Fernandez lofted a stunning ball over the Paraguay defence into the trail of Martinez who drove in a low end just for his celebration to be minimize brief by the linesman’s flag.
But a VAR assessment discovered that Martinez had been simply onside and over-ruled the on-field resolution giving Argentina an Eleventh-minute lead.
It was a bonus that was to final simply eight minutes although as the house aspect drew degree in spectacular trend.
Gustavo Velazquez whipped in a cross and Antonio Sanabria leapt within the air and fired previous Emiliano Martinez with a brilliantly executed bicycle kick.
Filled with perception and roared on by the group in Asuncion, Paraguay battled laborious in what was a scrappy encounter.
Two minutes after the interval Omar Alderete grabbed what proved to be the winner, rising on the again publish to move dwelling a cross from Inter Miami midfielder Diego Gomez.
Argentina struggled to create openings with Lionel Messi largely neutralised though the eight-times Ballon d’Or winner did present a cross for Valentin Castellanos however the substitute couldn’t hold his header down.
Despite the loss, Argentina stay high of the standings on 22 factors whereas Paraguay transfer into the sixth computerized qualification spot.
Brazil draw with Venezuela
Vinicius Junior missed a penalty as Brazil needed to accept a degree after an excellent Raphinha free-kick was cancelled out by a second half strike from Telasco Segovia.
The outcome leaves the five-times World Cup winners in third place on 17 factors — the highest six South American groups qualify mechanically for the 2026 World Cup.
Brazil had struggled for kind early of their marketing campaign however confirmed indicators of their previous swagger returning as they took the sport to Venezuela on the Monumental Stadium.
Vinicius, contemporary from a hat-trick for Real Madrid in La Liga on Saturday, was on the coronary heart of a lot of Brazil’s attacking play and nearly created an early opening.
The winger broke free and was compelled large as he rounded dwelling keeper Rafael Romo however he pulled the ball again to Raphinha in a promising central place just for the Barcelona ahead’s shot to go effectively astray.
Gerson then threatened with a chest down and volley from the sting of the field which flashed over the bar because the Selecao pushed for the opener.
Vinicius then hit the publish from shut vary after good work from Savinho.
Romo was compelled right into a full stretch save to maintain out a low drive from Gerson however, two minutes earlier than the interval, Brazil lastly broke by with Raphinha’s bending free-kick flying in off within the inside the far publish.
Venezuela drew degree inside a minute of the break — Segovia, simply seconds after being introduced off the bench, blasting in from the sting of the field after a sensible lay off from Jefferson Savarino.
Vinicius then had an amazing likelihood to revive Brazil’s benefit within the 62nd after he was introduced down within the field by Romo, however the keeper made amends diving low to maintain out the spot kick.
Brazil, third within the standings, searched desperately for a winner however Venezuela’s back-line held agency because the ‘Vinotinto’ picked up a probably treasured level.
Venezuela are in seventh place on 12 factors and the seventh-place group will enter an Inter-confederation playoff for a spot within the event, which shall be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ecuador are in fifth spot after Gonzalo Plata scored twice in a 4-0 win over Bolivia in Guayaquil.
Veteran striker Enner Valencia opened the scoring with a Twenty sixth-minute penalty earlier than Plata’s brace both aspect of half-time. Alan Minda wrapped up the win with a shot from outdoors the field.
Uruguay face Colombia and Peru host Chile in Friday’s qualifiers.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
