Another World Cup qualifying match, another win for Argentina as they defeated Paraguay 1-0 on Thursday night. Lionel Messi started the match on the bench as he continues to work his way back from injury, Nicolas Otamendi scored on a volley following a corner kick in the third minute and Argentina never looked back. But while the match only saw one goal, it also saw an incident where Paraguay's Antonio Sanabria appeared to spit at Messi late in the game when the Argentine had his back turned.
Here's video of the incident:
After the match, Messi spoke to reporters and took a dig at the player.
"No, no. Truthfully, I didn't see it. They told me in the locker room that one of them spit at me," Messi said. "The truth is, I don't know who he is ... I don't know who this boy is."
Messi also said he didn't want to give the situation much attention and that it was better to leave it at that.
As for the match, it wasn't a vintage performance for Lionel Scaloni's men but it says a lot about a team when they can win a World Cup qualifier only allowing one shot on goal but there were still disappointing moments in their performance.
Nicolas Gonzalez and Lautaro Martinez weren't able to turn their chances into goals and the remainder of the attack followed getting into Paraguay's defensive third with ease but not able to make it count. Things improved when Messi entered in the 53rd minute but Argentina were still unable to find an insurance goal. It didn't prove to be needed but credit must go to Paraguay's defense. Their back five was disciplined to force Argentina into bad positions but it wasn't enough to secure all three points.
In international play, La Albiceleste are great at doing whatever is needed to secure a result and they did just that again on Thursday to move to three wins in three matches in World Cup qualifying and have yet to allow a goal.
During the match, Paraguayan striker Antonio Sanabria had quite a cameo from the bench. After entering during the 70th minute as Paraguay were chasing a goal, Sanabria appeared to spit at Messi's back while the Argentine turned away from him. While it's unclear what caused the incident, Messi was clearly frustrated at the Torino man. Since the referee didn't see the incident, Sanabria was allowed to continue in the clash.
Next up, Argentina will have an away trip to face Peru on Tuesday, Oct. 17. After Messi was able to get minutes under his belt on Thursday, there is a chance that he could be able to start the match as long as he responds well in training. Scaloni isn't trying to push Messi more than he needs to as this Argentina side are quite strong even without him but when you can have Messi in the lineup, that's always the goal. Argentina's finishing issues are less likely with Messi playing at least 60 mintues in a match as he was clearly missed to start off the match and he has a two-fold effect on improving that. Not only can Messi finish his own chances with ease but he is also able to create better chances for others than most of his teammates.
Argentina just doesn't lose in World Cup qualifying matches. They're now three for three to kick off this campaign and have never lost a qualifier under Lionel Scaloni. All they needed was Otamendi's strike to open the match and it was more than enough to see things out. Messi returned to the squad and despite some poor finishing, all is well.
This will likely end the scoring chances for Argentina as the game has been tough sledding in the final third.
Mesis goes on a solo run and is fouled just outside the box. Is this a chance for some late magic?
It's more of the same as Argentina are in good positions but just can't find the back of the net. It hasn't been a performance up to their very hight standards.
Paraguay's defensive shape ahs been good during the match as everyone got back into position to ensure that Argentina didn't have free runners but there may be an injury to deal with. Antonio Sanabria is stretchered off after only entering the match four minutes prior and will be replaced by Villasanti.
Possession is ticking more and more in Argentina's favor but they just can't put a shot on target.
It's Julian Alvarez who departed the match as Messi will get about 37 mintues of action. So far moving around he seems to be back to being himself making runs which is a very good sign for Argentina.
Argentina wants to put this game away but with Gonzalez's finishing they haven't been able to do that yet so Messi will enter soon. It's good timing as well as Sosa had a good chance on the counter for Paraguay that he drug just wide.
While Argentina weren't particularly missing Messi, they did need more of a clinical nature in the final third that was missing in the first half. If they are able to get another goal, it remains to be seen if Scaloni will actually risk Messi in the match because Argentina are firmly in control so far.
Gonzalez has been in good position constantly and had a glorious chance to put Argentina ahead by two goals heading into the half but drug his shot just wide. Argentina will want that chance back but also they'll still feel comfortable as Paraguay hasn't troubled their defense.
Mac Allister goes down in the box after a challenge from a Paraguayan defender but play will continue. While Argentina has raised the pressure in the match, they're struggling to get a second goal so far. Gonzalez came close after the penalty shout but Paraguay just avoided going down 2-0.
Argentina were almost through for another goal but the Paraguayan keeper was there to hold his ground. It has been a tough start to the match but if Paraguay can get into the half only behind by a goal it will be a good result.
It feels like they're going to score. It could be quite a long night for Paraguay if things don't pick up. Argentina already has 63 percent of possession and while they've only officially taken one shot, it certainly feels like more.
Otamendi did what he does scoring following a corner kick and Argentina are already ahead 1-0 less than four minutes into play. Paraguay could've marked better in the box as he was able to finish the chance with his feet instead of his head.
No Diego Gomez in the starting XI as Paraguay will try their best to contain Argentina's attack.
Starters: Carlos, Espinoza, Alonso, Fabian Balbuena, Gomez, Ramierwez, Sanchez, Campuzano, Bareiro, Almiron, Sosa
Reserves: Alderete, Avalos, Espinola, Galarza, Giminez, Kaku, Ojeda, Rojas M, Rojas R, Rosas S, Sanabria, Villasanti
This shouldn't come as a surprise but there is slight rotation for Argentina in the match.
Starters: Emiliano Martinez, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul, Nicolas Gonzalez, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez
Reserves: Armani, Musso, Quartra, Lo Celso, Montiel, Ocampos, Paredes, Pezella, Rodriguez, Garnacho, Acuna
It's time for more World Cup qualifiers as Argentina looks to keep their unbeaten run under Lionel Scaloni going. Argentina will see Lionel Messi start the match from the bench but that doesn't mean that they'll be lacking in attack versus a Paraguay side that can be tricky on their day.
