Lionel Messi came off the bench for Argentina on Thursday as La Albiceleste beat Paraguay 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier.
Match Report
Messi, whose MLS season will finish next weekend with Inter Miami eliminated from playoff contention, entered the match in the 53rd minute for Julian Alvarez.
Nicolas Otamendi scored the lone goal for the favorites in the third minute.
With the win, Argentina are top of South American qualifying with three wins in as many games.
They will travel to Lima on Tuesday for another qualifier vs. Peru.
Messi had been linked to a loan move in Saudi Arabia or Barcelona after Miami were eliminated from playoff contention - with MLS' regular season not set to resume until February.
However, Fabrizio Romano poured cold water on those claims on Wednesday, saying Messi has his 'full focus' on Miami and Argentina as he gears up for a relatively busy November.
After the end of the MLS season, Messi is expected to face Uruguay and Brazil in World Cup qualifiers.
And reports have suggested that Miami will travel to China and Japan to play a pair of post-season friendlies as well.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
3' GOAL! Argentina 1-0 Paraguay (Otamendi)
7' Yellow Card! Enzo Fernández booked
21' Yellow Card! J.Alonso booked
29' CLOSE! Lautaro’s shot wide out
36' CHANCE! Gonzalez’s shot blocked
41' OFF THE POST! De Paul nearly scores for Argentina!
44' CLOSE! Gonzalez’s shot wide out
45' Messi is warming up
50' Yellow Card! Adam Bareiro booked
52' Messi in, Álvarez out
75' OFF THE POST! Messi nearly scores for Argentina
Line-ups
Argentina XI: Otamendi, E. Martinez, Tagliafico, De Paul, Lautaro, Nahuel Molina, Romero, N. Gonzalez, Mac Allister, Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández
Subs: Messi, F. Armani, Paredes, Pezzella, Ocampos, Acuna, Musso, G. Rodriguez, Lo Celso, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Gonzalo Montiel, Alejandro Garnacho
Paraguay XI: G.Gómez, Iván Ramírez, Balbuena, J.Alonso, Almiron, Carlos Coronel, Adam Bareiro, Richard Sánchez, Álvaro Campuzano, Matías Espinoza, Ramón Sosa
Subs: Gastón Giménez, Héctor Villalba, Gabriel Ávalos, Sanabria, Omar Alderete, Juan Espínola, Alejandro Romero, Matías Rojas, Santiago Rojas, Robert Rojas, Braian Ojeda, Matías Galarza
mohamedabdi143
727
When Rodrigo de Paul sees Messi 😂❤️
Chaselike
497
You can find every gif of nice goals here: http://www.goalgif.xyz/v2/live/matchGifs?match_id=53699974&language=en
Doxmang
469
Rodrigo De Paul on Messi: “We always miss him, we always want to have him on the field. For me, it’s a pleasure to turn around and give him a pass, being able to give him a chance. He gives us a lot of peace of mind. I hope he comes back for the the next game because with him, everything is better.” 💙🇦🇷 king 👑 LEO MESSI 🫅🙌👉🐐🌹🤝 right hand man spoken 🙌💯🤠
ishti
463
What an acrobatic effort from Otamendi 🔥🔥 Hallmark of a top quality striker
Akonkonzzy
429
Messi almost score from Conor kick, wtf is this. is it so necessary to put his name even if he don't score or assist. This media just put Messi's name by any means.
RogerCule
369
Leo Messi is not playing for self-exaltation but helping others build confidence. I like this bliss of encouragement he is building in others. LEO MESSI, THE 𓃵
Doxmang
331
🇦🇷🌟 Dibu Martínez has just become the goalkeeper with the LONGEST CLEAN SHEET [622'] in the ENTIRE HISTORY of the Argentine National Team. The last goal he received? Mbappé's in the World Cup final. 🚬🤝👏👑🙌❤️
Peaceking1234
315
The Best National Team in the World are surely going to win another World Cup🏆 with the G.O.A.T🐐👑 going to be the Coach at that Time💯💯💪
Peaceking1234
234
No way De Paul also Protects the G.O.A.T🐐👑 during Free kicks👇💯😂😂
Doxmang
152
Nicolás Tagliafico was the player with the most recoveries [11] and the most interceptions [4] in the game against Paraguay. In addition to that, he was NOT dribbled once. ⚠️ Warrior, another solid performance,🤝🔥👏🫅✍️💯🌹
Mudilmp
123
In the name of World Cup Champions, I think it's FAKES....been planned by FIFA and AFF apps.
Doxmang
108
Alexis Mac Allister’s another briliant performance tonight… just wow What a player he is 🪄😍Never Walk Alone 🫴 performance Alexis Mac Allister ✍️🤝🔥🌹👏💯🫅
depcklnoz
17
Messi almost score from Conor kick, wtf is this. is it so necessary to put his name even if he don't score or assist. This media just put Messi's name by any means.
of course GOAT LM10 NAME is necessary even if he doesn't score🤣🤣🤣🤣admit your pain and get a peace of mind🐪🐪🐪🐪😂😂😂😂