Argentina aims to solidify their position at the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings as they face Paraguay at the start of the November international window. The Albiceleste lead the table by three points, but they have felt pressure from challengers including Colombia and Uruguay.
Lionel Messi, who continues to shine as Argentina’s captain, will take the field against his Inter Miami teammate Diego Gomez, who has earned a starting role for Paraguay. The Albirroja, which had seen a significant drop to 62nd in the FIFA rankings this summer, has reversed its fortunes and gone unbeaten in its last four matches, climbing to sixth in the qualification standings. This positive momentum includes a notable victory over Brazil and a draw with Uruguay. However, Messi and Argentina will pose a formidable challenge, as Paraguay has not defeated the World Cup champions since 2016.
Team news indicates Paraguay comes into this match with a healthy lineup, with Diego Gomez contributing significantly by scoring a critical goal against Brazil in September. Their starting XI is set to leverage their current form.
On Argentina’s side, while Messi is set to lead the squad after a successful club career with Inter Miami, the team will miss Paulo Dybala due to a tactical decision. Dybala’s absence has sparked speculation about a possible rift within the squad, an issue that can challenge team dynamics.
Despite some injury concerns with Nico Gonzalez and Lisandro Martinez, Argentina remains strong with Emiliano Martinez returning to goal after serving a suspension.
This matchup promises to be a captivating contest as both teams seek important points in their qualifying campaigns. With the stakes high, fans can look forward to an exciting evening of football that showcases some of the best talents in the region.
For viewers, the match will be streamed live and available on various TV channels depending on the region.