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.
It started well for Lionel Scaloni’s team, also reigning Copa America champions, as they grabbed an early lead through Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.
Enzo Fernandez lofted a lovely ball over the Paraguay defence into the path of Martinez who drove in a low finish only for his celebration to be cut short by the linesman’s flag.
But a VAR review found that Martinez had been just onside and over-ruled the on-field decision giving Argentina an 11th-minute lead.
It was an advantage that was to last just eight minutes though as the home side drew level in spectacular fashion.
Gustavo Velazquez whipped in a cross and Antonio Sanabria leapt in the air and fired past Emiliano Martinez with a brilliantly executed bicycle kick.
Filled with belief and roared on by the crowd in Asuncion, Paraguay battled hard in what was a scrappy encounter.
Two minutes after the interval Omar Alderete grabbed what proved to be the winner, rising at the back post to head home a cross from Inter Miami midfielder Diego Gomez.
Argentina struggled to create openings with Lionel Messi largely neutralised although the eight-times Ballon d’Or winner did provide a cross for Valentín Castellanos but the substitute could not keep his header down.
Despite the loss, Argentina remain top of the standings on 22 points while Paraguay move into the sixth automatic qualification spot.
© Agence France-Presse
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