World Cup Qualifier: Argentina VS Paraguay - Preview & Team News

The World Cup winner Argentina are back in action. They won their third World Cup trophy last December, but the preparation for the upcoming World Cup in 2026 has already started. Argentina already played two games in the World Cup Qualifier from the South American zone. The Albiceleste have bagged all six points from their first two games. However, Argentina will play their third game in the qualifier when they host Paraguay tomorrow at Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires.

Stats&Facts

• Argentina are having an unbelievable time in football. They are now the No.1 team in the FIFA Ranking.
• Since losing in their opening game against Saudi Arabia in the FIFA World Cup, the Albiceleste have won all their last 12 games so far.
• Argentina's primary weakness was their defense before Lionel Scaloni took charge of the National Team. After that, Scaloni solved this problem impressively. Argentina's defense is now one of the best in the world.
• Argentina is the only team in the World that hasn't conceded a single goal after the FIFA World Cup. Argentina played six matches after the Qatar World Cup, where they kept a clean sheet in every match. The Albiceleste scored 17 goals in those games.
• Argentina's last meeting with Paraguay ended in a goalless draw in the World Cup Qualifiers in 2022.
• Paraguay won only one of their last seven games in the last 12 months, which led to coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto being sacked.

Team News

Lionel Messi, the greatest of all time, didn't play Argentina's last game against Bolivia as he was on rest. But the World Cup winner became injured while playing with his MLS side club, Inter Miami. However, he has recovered and played in the second half of Inter Miami's last game against FC Cincinnati. There is a big question mark over whether he will start against Paraguay. Lionel Messi trained with the squad ahead of the match against Paraguay. But Lionel Messi might play in the second half. Manager Lionel Scaloni will not push him to start. Scaloni also confirmed that Messi is well. "We still have a training session, and for him, one more is important. We saw him well, and I will speak beforehand to decide if he plays at the start or not. Based on that the team can change, but I have to talk to him about it, and above all he is well. We are convinced that he can start. He looked good," said the manager. However, the manager also indicated that Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez can start together. Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez are in excellent form in their respective clubs. But they haven't started for Argentina together. They might play together against Paraguay. Unfortunately, Lisandro Martinez, Paulo Dybala, Angel Di Maria, and Juan Foyth are unavailable due to their respective injury. But Lo Celso, Leandro Parades, Marco Acuna, and Nicholas Tagliafico are back from injury. Possible Starting Lineup for Argentina: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Gonzalez Possible Starting Lineup for Paraguay: Coronel; Rojas, Balbuena, Gomez, Alonso; Villasanti, Sanchez, Romero; Almiron, Avalos, Sosa

Prediction: Argentina 2-0 Paraguay

Messi will play in either the first or second half, it has been confirmed. However, Argentina defeated Bolivia in their last match without Lionel Messi. The team is in a good shape and hopes to contiue their winning run. Argentina will have tremendous support from the gallery as they are the home side. Therefore, they should be the winner of this match.

Betfair Odds

Argentina: 1.25 Draw: 6.13 Paraguay: 15.25 Get the real-time Betfair Odds on BFB247