Paraguay recorded a surprise home victory over Argentina on Thursday defeating their opponents 2-1 through a second-half header from Omar Alderete.
Things started well for the Argentines, when Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez found the back of the net 11 minutes into the game in Asuncion.
Paraguay equalised in the 19th minute with a perfect overhead kick from Antonio Sanabria.
The two teams played 1-1 at halftime but Argentina lost their defender Cristiano Romero to injury during the interval. He was replaced by Marseille’s Leonardo Balerdi, who made the mistake that gave Paraguay’s the victory.
Balerdi and center back partner Nicolas Otamendi did not communicate in the box and a cross from Inter Miami teenage star Diego Gomez found Alderete, who scored the winning goal.
Argentina have now dropped points in three of their last four World Cup qualifiers. Despite the defeat, they remain top of the South American standings, with 22 points, ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with Peru, while Paraguay have consolidated their hold on sixth spot with their shock win.
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
