Lionel Messi Plays One Half In Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup Qualifying Win; Brazil And Venezuela Draw

PAULO, SAO — After coming off the substitute, Lionel Messi twice struck a post, but he struggled to produce a solid performance after returning from injury. Nonetheless, Argentina defeated Paraguay 1-0 in Thursday’s South American World Cup qualifying match.

However, after the host team and Venezuela drew 1-1 in Cuiabá, Brazil, Argentinian’s most formidable South American rival abandoned the pitch to jeers. With their third victory in three matches, Argentina maintained their position as the solitary leaders of the round-robin competition, putting pressure on new Brazil coach Fernando Diniz.

The upcoming World Cup, hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature a 48-team field, granting direct entry to South America’s best six teams. In competition for a berth, the seventh-place team will compete in an intercontinental playoff.

Following Argentina in South American World Cup qualifying with nine points are Paraguay (1), Peru (1), Brazil (7), Colombia (5), Uruguay (4), Chile (4), Venezuela (4), Ecuador (3), and Paraguay (1). On Tuesday, all ten teams will compete in the fourth round.

The subsequent round will comprise Venezuela versus Chile, Peru versus Argentina, Paraguay versus Bolivia, and Ecuador versus Colombia.

Lionel Messi Plays One Half In Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup Qualifying Win; Brazil And Venezuela Draw

Nicolás Otamendi scored the match’s lone goal at the Monumental de Nunez Stadium in the third minute when a corner kick found him unmarked in the penalty area. The defender executed a left-foot volley that deposited the ball into the net.

The 36-year-old Messi has been inactive for multiple matches for Inter Miami due to muscular discomfort in his right leg. In his stead, coach Lionel Scaloni selected Nico Gonzalez. Julián Álvarez was replaced by the sensation in the 52nd minute, with Argentina already holding the lead.

Messi’s corner kick 10 minutes after entering the Monumental de Nuez Stadium in Buenos Aires struck the post, but his other endeavors to dribble and deliver accurate passes were unsuccessful.

Messi’s right-post header from the same area where he converted the game-winning penalty against Ecuador in September gave Argentine supporters cause for optimism just before the final whistle.

Leo brings me a profound sense of tranquility,” said Rodrigo De Paul, a midfielder, following the match. “We are currently performing exceptionally well. We are at ease with how we are conducting ourselves.”

Argentina marked the début of Paraguay’s new coach, Daniel Garnero, and his squad produced little evidence of attacking prowess. The 54-year-old coach succeeded Guillermo Barros Schelotto as head coach following the initial two qualifiers a month ago.

Messi was absent from four MLS matches and the U.S. Open Cup final for his club. On Saturday, he participated in ten minutes of Inter Miami’s 1-0 loss to Cincinnati. In September, he also abstained from another World Cup qualifying match, Argentina’s 3-0 victory at Bolivia.

Lionel Messi Plays One Half In Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup Qualifying Win; Brazil And Venezuela Draw.

At home, Brazil was unable to defeat Venezuela for the first time. It took a lot of work for Neymar, Vinicius Jr., and Richarlison to get unobstructed looks on goal for the first half.

Brazilian counterattacked Neymar’s first significant opportunity of the half with a shot from the periphery of the box; the Al-Hilal player assisted on the goal.

In the 52nd minute, Gabriel Magalhães scored from close range after Neymar took a corner kick at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiabá, one of Brazil’s warmest cities at this time of year.

Multiple opportunities were missed by the hosts from close range. Venezuela maintained some pressure until Eduardo Bello scored in the 85th minute with a half-bicycle that stands as one of the most remarkable goals of qualifying for the South American World Cup thus far.

Brazil was unable to penetrate Venezuela’s defense until the final whistle.

“At this moment, we must elevate our heads and consider Uruguay.” “We desired to attack them, but they opted to defend, and we were unable to break them as we had hoped,” said Casemiro, captain of Brazil, following the match.

Before Thursday’s action, Uruguay and Colombia were tied 2-2. The hosts took the lead in the 37th minute through veteran James Rodrguez’s opener, and Matias Oliveira tied the score shortly before halftime.

Mateus Uribe restored Colombia’s lead in the fifty-two minute. Darwin Nezz scored the equalizer for Uruguay from the penalty spot shortly before the final siren, following a foul by dismissed custodian Camilo Vargas.

Ecuador secured a 2-1 victory over Bolivia in La Paz on the strength of a late-match goal.

Shortly before halftime, Kendry Paéz scored for the visitors, and in the 83rd minute, Rodrigo Ramallo equalized. Kevin Rodriguez awarded the first three points of qualification for Ecuador.

The score of Chile versus Peru was 2-0. Diego Valdéz scored the first goal in the 74th minute, and Marcos López completed the scoring in injury time with an own goal.

SOURCE – (AP)