Lionel Messi was held scoreless as Argentina suffered a 2-1 loss to Paraguay in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match on Thursday night.

With Lionel Scaloni's squad at the top of the table and closing in on a ticket to the 2026 World Cup, Argentina is ready to keep the momentum alive and kick things up a notch as they defend their title.

Antonio Sanabria's spectacular bicycle kick, Omar Alderete's header give hosts narrow win against Lionel Messi-led Argentina - Anadolu Ajansı

Argentina and Brazil will have two of their leading stars available again as South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup resumes with the last two rounds of games this year.

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.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Vinicius Júnior had frustrating nights in South American World Cup qualifying

What started off ideally for Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates on Thursday during a qualifying match towards the 2026 World Cup soon turned into a night to forget. The visitors and CONMEBOL qualification leaders,

The last round of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup had several standout players. It seemed like Raphinha was going to be the protagonist for Brazil, scoring a fantastic goal in his debut wearing the number 10 jersey for the national team,

Paraguay shocked Argentina 2-1 at Estadio Defensores del Chaco in a riveting FIFA World Cup qualifier. Lautaro Martínez started Argentina's score in the 11th minute; then, in the 19th minute, Paraguayan Antonio Sanabria equalised with an amazing bicycle kick.