Argentina lost 1-2 to Paraguay in Asunción, in a new match of the unjustifiably long South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, and the star Lionel Messi left the Defensores del Chaco very upset, to the point that after the match he didn’t even want to talk to the media.
Messi has not been doing well in sports in the last few days, as on Saturday he suffered a resounding failure by being eliminated in the first round of the Major League Soccer playoffs with Inter Miami at the hands of Atlanta United, a team that has a squad that is $5 million cheaper than the salary of the Argentine "10."
The elimination of Inter revived criticism for the invitation that FIFA extended for the 2025 Club World Cup without showing any sporting merits, beyond accumulating the most points during the regular season of the MLS.
Why did Messi complain to the referee in the match against Paraguay?
The apparent royalties from FIFA's Gianni Infantino with Messi reappeared in the debate following the vehement complaint to Brazilian referee Anderson Daronco, who officiated the match against the Paraguayan national team in the Sajonia neighborhood.
With the score tied 1-1, Omar Alderete received a yellow card for a strong foul against Messi, but five minutes later he did not receive a second card and subsequent expulsion for another strong tackle against "La Pulga." The Albiceleste players demanded a red card and coach Lionel Scaloni was shouting "cheeky," but Daronco stood firm.
Where Daronco was not firm was when the first half ended and Messi went to confront him. He shouted at him and pointed his finger at him, but inexplicably there was not even a warning card for one of the best players in history. Any other player would have received at least a yellow card for a similar act.
In favor of Messi, in addition to the potential closeness with FIFA, is the fact that he is rarely seen complaining in this way.
How did Paraguay's victory over Argentina come about?
Interestingly, Alderete, who committed those two strong fouls against Messi, gave Paraguay the victory with a goal at the beginning of the second half.
“This team currently has confidence, sacrifice, teamwork; we enter each game like this and we are getting results,” said Alderete after the match. “I always waited for my moment, Paraguay has always had the best central defenders in South America, we have always been respected, I waited for my moment and I took advantage of it.”
After solid victories against Brazil and Venezuela, Paraguay reaffirmed its good performance as a host and achieved a new victory at home thanks to its ability to set the pace in attack and shield the defense in order to counter Argentine attacks.
With the victory, Paraguay has chained five games without defeats and three consecutive wins at home. The Albirroja remains strong, with 16 points, in sixth place in the standings on the road to the 2026 World Cup, the last spot that guarantees a direct pass to the global event.
Argentina, on the other hand, remains in the top position of the table with 22 points.