Messi, Vinicius have irritating nights as Argentina loses and Brazil attracts in World Cup qualifying

Lionel Messi of Argentina and Andres Cubas of Paraguay battle for the ball through the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Paraguay and Argentina at Estadio Defensores del Chaco on November 14, 2024 in Asuncion, Paraguay.
| Photograph Credit score: Getty Photographs

Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Vinicius Júnior had irritating nights in South American World Cup qualifying.

Whereas Messi couldn’t assist his group keep away from a 2-1 defeat at Paraguay, Vinicius Junior missed a second-half penalty as Brazil was held to a 1-1 draw at Venezuela on Thursday (November 14, 2024).

Argentina will stay on the highest of the 10-team round-robin competitors with 22 factors in 11 matches, Brazil is provisionally in third place within the standings with 17 factors.

Additionally on Thursday, Ecuador beat Bolivia 4-0. The Ecuadorians stay in fifth place with 16 factors, whereas Bolivia is in eighth place with 12 factors.

The eleventh spherical of South American World Cup qualifying will proceed on Friday with second-place Colombia visiting Uruguay and the underside two groups within the standings, Peru and Chile, dealing with off in Lima.

Argentina performed at Paraguay with the hosts having banned native followers from carrying any Messi shirts within the house crowd. TV footage of the match in Asuncion confirmed that the overwhelming majority of the native crowd was carrying Paraguay’s purple and white colours, with no Messi shirts seen within the native broadcasts.

Messi had few alternatives to the touch the ball through the first half, however noticed Lautaro Martínez open the scoring within the eleventh minute with a crossed shot. The purpose was allowed after a video assessment.

Paraguay scored the equalizer with a bicycle kick by Antonio Sanabria within the nineteenth minute, shortly after defender Gustavo Gómez hit the bar with a header.

The hosts continued to use strain, and gave the Argentine star some heavy marking. Messi confirmed he was upset with Brazilian referee Anderson Daronco for not sending off Paraguay’s Omar Alderete for his aggressive tackles.

It was Alderete who scored Paraguay’s winner with a header within the forty seventh minute, which places Paraguay again in competition for a spot within the subsequent World Cup.

“We got here to a tough place the place the nationwide group at all times struggled,” mentioned Martínez. “Now we have to appropriate numerous issues we did improper on this match, however usually talking we’re taking part in effectively. We’re nonetheless within the lead, and we’ve got to look ahead.”

Vinicius Júnior remains to be with no purpose in six matches of World Cup qualifying.

He had the prospect to attain a possible winner after he earned the penalty within the 67th minute however his low spot kick was saved by goalkeeper Rafael Romo and the Brazil ahead then shot vast from the rebouxadgr58 nkg9fichj8m ouytf876v3gx2sae1(backslash)nd.

Brazil had the very best probabilities within the first half, with Vinicius hitting the submit as soon as after dribbling three Venezuelans and capturing from the sting of the field. Nevertheless it was Raphinha who opened the scoring from a free kick within the forty third minute.

Venezuela introduced on 21-year-old Telasco Segovia at halftime and the substitution had a direct impact as he equalized within the forty sixth minute with a strong shot from the sting of the field.

Venezuela went all the way down to 10 males within the 89th minute after Alexander Gonzalez was despatched off for hitting each Gabriel Martinelli and Vinicius Júnior within the face.

The irrigation system then got here on two minutes earlier than the ultimate whistle on the Monumental Stadium within the metropolis of Maturin, 500 kilometers (310 miles) west of the capital Caracas, which angered Brazil gamers.

“Once we do not win I go away the pitch a bit dissatisfied, we deserved to win this one,” Raphinha mentioned after the match. “Nevertheless it is a crucial level taking part in away, we’re working arduous to win the subsequent one at house.”

Ecuador beat Bolivia with targets by Enner Valencia (twenty sixth minute), Gonzalo Plata (twenty eighth and forty ninth) and Alan Minda (61st).