Lionel Messi’s eventful 2024 is concluding with a setback, as he faced his third consecutive defeat with both club and country. In a World Cup 2026 qualifying match on Thursday night, Argentina fell 2-1 to Paraguay, leaving Messi without a goal. Paraguay’s Antonio Sanabria opened the scoring with an impressive bicycle kick, while Omar Alderete netted the game-winning goal shortly after halftime, capitalizing on an assist from Messi’s Inter Miami teammate, Diego Gomez.
Argentina had taken an early lead when Lautaro Martinez, a standout from the Copa America title run, scored in the 11th minute. However, despite their efforts, the reigning World Cup champions could not find the net again during the match. Messi recorded a shot that went over the goal after being deflected, and his second half was largely uneventful as he struggled to influence the game.
The match marked Messi’s 190th appearance for the Argentina national team, and following this defeat, he will look to end the year positively when Argentina faces Peru in Buenos Aires next Tuesday. Despite the recent streak of losses, Argentina remains at the top of the Conmebol World Cup qualifying standings with 22 points, though they could lose that position depending on Colombia’s results in their match against Uruguay.
In light of the match, it’s noteworthy that Paraguay instituted a ban on Argentina jerseys in support of their home team, emphasizing the importance of the home atmosphere. Meanwhile, Messi reflected on Inter Miami’s season, expressing gratitude to fans and vowing to return stronger next year after their playoff exit.
While the recent losses are challenging, Messi’s resilience and capacity for bouncing back have always been commendable. As the year draws to a close, there is hope that Messi will find his form again and lead Argentina to success in their upcoming match, reinforcing his status as one of the greats in football.
Summary: Messi’s 2024 ends on a low note with Argentina’s 2-1 loss to Paraguay, extending his losing streak. Despite scoring early, Argentina couldn’t maintain their lead. Messi prepares to wrap up the year against Peru, while Argentina remains atop the qualifiers, showcasing their strength amidst recent challenges.