Leo Messi explodes during Argentina's dark evening

Argentina had a frankly complicated night in Asunción during qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Beaten by Paraguay (2-1), the Albiceleste recorded its third defeat during this campaign. Nothing to worry about when we look at the rankings since they remain leader of this South American group with three points ahead of Colombia, who travel to Uruguay next night. It is more the manner and the scenario that are examined after this meeting. Argentina even believes that it was the victim of a big refereeing error, provoking the enormous anger of Leo Messi.

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Let's get back to the facts. While the score was 1-1 (Lautaro Martínez for Argentina, 11th, Sanabria equalized in the 19th), the eight-time Ballon d'Or dribbled past his defender Omar Alderete to escape on the right side, but the -he stopped the Pulga dead in its tracks to put an end to the action. Rather innocuous action until then, except that the Paraguayan had already received a warning and could undoubtedly have obtained a second one. Although the Argentines contested the decision of Brazilian referee Anderson Daronco, the game resumed. But for Messi, it didn't happen and he made it clear at the break. “ You shit yourself, I don't love you ”, he sent to the man in black.

Messi furious and frustrated

Insulting comments which should have also warranted expulsion. It didn't happen, but the climax of the evening for Messi's teammates was that the second Paraguayan goal was scored after returning from the locker room by… Omar Alderete (47th). Obviously, there was enough to fuel a lot of resentment towards the referee, especially since the reigning world champions never managed to get the score back, with Messi hitting the posts twice on two free kicks. The entry of Garnacho did good, but it was not enough, like the missed opportunities by Rodrigo De Paul and Valentín Castellanos. Scaloni seemed a little bitter too.

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At a press conference, the coach did not want to look for bad reasons for this setback while indicating that the refereeing did not please him. “ I can say a lot of things. This doesn't make sense and would seem like an excuse. I prefer not to say it so that it's not an excuse and people don't interpret it that way. That's it, we all saw what happened on the groundhe insists, without saying more. But that has nothing to do with the outcome. That's all, I learned a lot from these things. It seems that we are making excuses, that we want to justify something and that people can interpret something else. Let's leave it there. » Next meeting against Peru, next Wednesday.