Argentina continued their unbeaten start to World Cup qualifying with a 1-1 draw against Paraguay at La Bombonera on Thursday.
2022 Qatar World Cup qualification South America
1-1
Match Reports
Angel Romero's penalty gave Paraguay a first-half lead, but his opener was cancelled out by Nicolas Gonzalez's header.
After falling behind, Argentina were dominant, and Lionel Messi had a second-half goal ruled out following a VAR check.
Lionel Scaloni's men were forced to settle for a point and are unbeaten through three qualifiers to top the CONMEBOL standings with seven points, while Paraguay are also yet to taste defeat and have five points.
After a bright start, Paraguay took a deserved 21st-minute lead through Romero's penalty.
Miguel Almiron's strong run at the Argentina defence saw the attacker brought down by Lucas Martinez, and Romero stepped up to place the spot-kick into the bottom corner.
Argentina started to enjoy more possession but struggled to create much of note before Gonzalez equalised prior to half-time thanks to his first international goal.
Gonzalez met a good corner from Giovani Lo Celso, who replaced the injured Exequiel Palacios during the first half, to head in at the near post and make it 1-1.
The equaliser gave Argentina a boost and Rodrigo De Paul's long-range drive forced a save from Paraguay goalkeeper Antony Silva on the stroke of half-time.
Lautaro Martinez and Paraguay defender Gustavo Gomez squandered good chances shortly after half-time before Argentina thought they had the lead.
After a cutback from Lo Celso, Messi beat Silva despite a strong hand from the Paraguay goalkeeper, but the goal was ruled out for a foul in the build-up after a VAR check.
Messi went close in the 72nd minute, Silva tipping his free-kick onto the crossbar after Lo Celso was fouled as Argentina continued to push, but they were unable to find a winner.
Line-ups
Argentina XI: Messi, F. Armani, Otamendi, Paredes, Ocampos, De Paul, E. Palacios, Lautaro, L. Martínez, G. Montiel, N. Gonzalez
Subs: Gomez, Di Maria, E. Martinez, Andrada, Kannemann, Alario, Correa, G. Rodriguez, Lo Celso, F. Medina, Dominguez, N. Perez
Paraguay XI: D. Lezcano, A. Silva, G.Gómez, Á. Romero, G. Giménez, Balbuena, J.Alonso, Almiron, Á. Cardozo Lucena, M. Villasanti, R. Rojas
Subs: Bobadilla, H.Pérez, R. Rojas, A. Aguilar, O.Romero, Sanabria, O. Alderete, J. Escobar, M. Rojas, M. Martínez, J. Morel, R. Sánchez