Argentina failed to score for the first time since June 2019, but the goalless draw away against Paraguay on Thursday kept their unbeaten record in the South American qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup. The Argentine team has played 23 matches without defeat under coach Lionel Scaloni and currently sits in second place in the qualifiers, behind Brazil, which defeated Venezuela 3-1.
The top four teams automatically qualify for the finals in Qatar next year, while the fifth-placed team will face a playoff against a team from another continent. Argentina played without striker Lautaro Martinez, and Lionel Messi had an unusually quiet game, resulting in a lack of excitement, particularly in the first half.
The visitors had the more dangerous chances, but Paraguay found their rhythm in the second half and tested Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez several times. Scaloni made five substitutions in the second half, and the match became more exciting.
Paraguayan goalkeeper Anthony Silva brilliantly denied a shot from substitute Alejandro Gomez with 12 minutes left, while on the other end, Carlos Gonzalez shot over the bar with three minutes remaining. Argentina will next face Uruguay (October 10) and Peru (October 14) at home, while Paraguay will play away against Chile on Sunday and Bolivia on Thursday.
