LIONEL MESSI was denied a winner by VAR as Argentina dropped points for the first time in World Cup qualifying.
Visitors Paraguay went ahead after Angel Romero dispatched a penalty earned by Sergio Almiron.
But Nicolas Gonzalez then headed the Argentines level just before half time.
In the second half Lionel Messi put the ball into the net but VAR ruled the goal out for a foul earlier in the play.
THAT’S ALL FOR NOW
Plenty of football still being coverage across the week as international football takes centre stage.
If you’ve enjoyed the coverage of the South American World Cup qualifying group stage, we have more of it tomorrow when Brazil take on Venezuela!
If you’re interested, tune in from 11pm tomorrow night.
Have a good one!
OTAMENDI SPEAKS
Speaking after tonight’s frustrating draw with Paraguay, Otamendi said: “I think that in the first half we were a bit uncomfortable.
“When we encouraged ourselves to have more the ball, we were in their field.
“The sensations are rare, we tried and tried to be organized but the victory did not come.
“Lo Celso entered very well. Everyone knows that each one is important in the National Team.”
SWEET FEET
Lionel Messi thought he won all three points for Argentina until VAR intervened.
NEWCASTLE REACT
One of the G.O.A.T’s and Lionel Messi…….
FULL-TIME STATS
Argentina continued to dominate the proceedings, maintaining their 69 per cent hold on possession.
The hosts managed to get 15 shots off, but only 1/3 of them were on target.
Paraguay managed to register two more shots in the second half, with one of those testing Armani between the sticks.
Argentina made 627 passes to Paraguay’s 292!
FT: ARGENTINA 1-1 PARAGUAY
It ends all square in Buenos Aires.
Argentina thought they had the winner when Messi slotted the ball past Silva after being picked out by Lo Celso.
VAR spotted something wrong with the goal in the build-up and the goal was chalked off leaving the hosts furious.
Paraguay posed very little threat in the second half, but their defensive display deserves recognition.
The backline of Rojas, Balbuena, Gomez and Alonso, managed to keep one of the greatest of all time very quiet.
Aswell as clearing anything and everything that came within 20 yards of Silva’s goal.
Both sides share the spoils.
PEEEEEEP!
THAT’S FULL-TIME!
IT ENDS ALL SQUARE!
ARGENTINA 1-1 PARAGUAY
92. Messi walks up to the free-kick and smashes the ball into the wall. Another poor free-kick from the captain.
He tries to win the rebound but loses out to Alderete.
ARGENTINA 1-1 PARAGUAY
90. Messi takes the ball off his team-mate Parades to drive Argentina forward, he gets to the edge of the penalty area before being bundled over.
We’re into the first minute of the additional five at the end of the second half.
Messi is standing over the free-kick and it’s well within his range!
ARGENTINA 1-1 PARAGUAY
87. Rodrigo Rojas has come on for Paraguay replacing Gonzalez.
Antonio Sanabria is also on to replace goal-scorer Romero – some attacking changes by Eduardo Berizzo.
WATCHFUL EYE
Lionel Messi observes as the referee takes a look at the build-up to his goal, which was eventually chalked off.
Credit: Getty Images
ARGENTINA 1-1 PARAGUAY
83. Di Maria works some space on the edge of the penalty area, the No11 decides to have a crack on his favoured left foot but his effort fizzes wide of the near post.
ARGENTINA 1-1 PARAGUAY
82. Alario of Bayer Leverkusen is on for Lautaro Martinez in the final eight minutes or so.
ARGENTINA 1-1 PARAGUAY
80. We’re into the final ten minutes and it’s all square.
Neither side has found a breakthrough to grab all three points, it’s been mostly one-way traffic in the second half with Argentina dictating play.
Paraguay, however, have been well drilled and organised and if they grab a point, it’s fully deserved.
ARGENTINA 1-1 PARAGUAY
76. Messi bursts into space down the right flank, he cuts inside onto his favoured left foot but he is instantly shut out by Alonso and Gomez.
Paraguay break up the other end and Montiel hacks down Almiron before he can break into the penalty area.
Montiel receives a booking for the tactical foul.
ARGENTINA 1-1 PARAGUAY
74. Perez wins the 50-50 with Gonzalez before going clean through on Parades – awful challenge.
He’s booked for the challenge, could easily have seen red.
ARGENTINA 1-1 PARAGUAY
73. Paraguay are making a double change with Villasanti and Lezcano making way for Morel and Perez.
Will we see someone take all three points? Just over 15 minutes left to find out.
ARGENTINA 1-1 PARAGUAY
OFF THE BAR!
71. Messi tries to pick out the top right corner but he ends up crashing his free-kick off the top of the crossbar!
Ever so close!
ARGENTINA 1-1 PARAGUAY
70. Messi zips a first time pass into the feet of Lo Celso, Gomez comes in hard from behind conceding a free-kick.
This is well within Messi’s range. 25 yards from goal.
ARGENTINA 1-1 PARAGUAY
69. Messi drives towards the edge of the penalty area, he slips the ball into the feet of Lautaro Martinez who works some space and manages to get a shot off but it doesn’t trouble Silva.
VAR SAYS NO
Argentina thought they took the lead through Messi, VAR had something to say about that!
Credit: Getty Images
ARGENTINA 1-1 PARAGUAY
65. Di Maria is on for Ocampos and he immediately makes an impact.
He cuts inside off the right flank and plays a wonderful cross right onto the head of Lautaro Martinez who can only steer his header into the arms of Silva.
ARGENTINA 1-1 PARAGUAY
63. Neither side have managed to find a breakthrough so far in the second half, but Argentina have posed the bigger threat and look the more likely to grab a goal.
The hosts have already seen one chalked off this half and they’ll be looking to keep up their 100% start to their World Cup qualification.
ARGENTINA 1-1 PARAGUAY
62. Messi twists and turns 25 yards from goal, he tries to get his head up and get a shot off but he is immediately swamped by three Paraguayan shirts.
The visitors have done a good job of keeping the No10 quiet tonight.
ARGENTINA 1-1 PARAGUAY
61. Gonzalez goes on a powerful run down the touchline, he knocks the ball past Villasanti but Rojas was quick to get across and stick a foot in.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
