15/11/2024–|Last updated: 11/15/202401:05 PM (Mecca time)
The world champion Argentina national team suffered a sudden loss at the hands of its host Paraguay 1-2 in Ascension in the 11th round of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, while five-time world champion Brazil fell into a draw against its host Venezuela 1-1.
In the first match, things seemed good for coach Lionel Scaloni’s men after Italian Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez gave them the lead (11), before the hosts quickly responded thanks to Antonio Sanabria (19). Omar Alderete scored the winning goal for Paraguay (47).
The Argentine team’s balance froze at 22 points in first place, but its Colombian chaser will have a chance to equalize with it when it faces Uruguay, fourth (19 points) on Friday.
As for Paraguay, it scored 3 very valuable points in its quest to directly qualify for the 2026 World Cup, as it occupies sixth place with 16 points, 4 behind Venezuela, seventh.
The top 6 teams qualify directly for the World Cup finals, and the seventh team will go into a global playoff.
Led by Lionel Messi, the Argentines made a good start after Martinez opened the scoring following a perfect pass from Enzo Fernandez, which the Inter striker received in a distinctive way and then sent it into the goal. After the line referee raised the offside flag, the assistant referee’s VAR technique returned to confirm the validity of the goal (11).
But the visitors’ lead only lasted 8 minutes after Sanabria equalized for the hosts with a stunning “double kick” acrobatic ball (18). Paraguay took the lead after the start of the second half with a header from a cross by Inter midfielder Diego Gomis (47).
Argentina struggled to create chances as the hosts succeeded in neutralizing Messi and reducing the attacking threat of the world champions.
Brazil squanders victory
In a match in which Vinicius Junior missed a penalty kick, the Brazilian team, the five-time world champion, fell into a draw against its Venezuelan host 1-1. Barcelona’s Spanish player, Rafinha, gave Brazil the lead (43′), before Telasco Segovia equalized for Venezuela at the start of the second half (46′).
The Brazilian team, which failed to achieve its third victory in a row after beating Peru 4-0 and Chile 2-1 in the previous two rounds, rose to 17 points in third place temporarily, 5 behind leaders Argentina.
Brazil’s third place will be threatened by Uruguay, fourth (16th), which hosts second Colombia (19th) on Friday.
On the other hand, Venezuela now has 12 points in seventh place, which allows its owner to enter the qualifying round.
Fifth Ecuador achieved a valuable victory at the expense of its guest, Bolivia, with a clean 4-0 win, signed by Goncalo Plata, the winner of the double. Veteran striker Ener Valencia opened the lead for Ecuador with a penalty kick (26), before Plata added two goals (28 and 49), and Alain Minda concluded the goal festival with the fourth (61).
Ecuador increased its score to 16 points, continuing its steady march towards securing a place in the 2026 World Cup. Earlier, 3 points were awarded to Ecuador, for forging Byron Castillo’s birth documents in the previous qualifiers.
