In an exhilarating encounter at Defensores del Chaco Stadium, Paraguay secured a 2-1 victory over Argentina, handing coach Lionel Scaloni’s facet their third defeat within the 2026 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. Amid a sequence of controversial choices, Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi confronted referee Anderson Daronco through the sport.
Daronco, extensively often known as “the world’s strongest referee,” was on the heart of the controversy through the match, with a number of Argentine gamers, together with Messi, criticizing his efficiency. After the primary half, Messi approached the referee to specific his frustration over a sequence of contentious calls.
Cameras captured a part of the change, with Messi telling Daronco, “You’re a coward, I don’t such as you,” earlier than heading to the locker room. One of many key flashpoints was Daronco’s choice to not ship off Paraguayan center-back Omar Alderete, who scored the profitable purpose within the forty seventh minute.
Alderete had already been booked with a yellow card for a foul on Messi within the thirty third minute. Simply minutes later, Messi chipped the ball over Alderete, just for the defender to impede his progress, bringing him down and halting a promising Argentine assault. Regardless of this second foul, Daronco selected to not difficulty a second yellow card, a lot to the frustration of Messi and the remainder of the Argentine squad.
Whereas the controversial officiating performed a job within the sport’s end result, Argentina’s efficiency towards Paraguay left a lot to be desired. Regardless of taking the lead within the eleventh minute by Lautaro Martínez, Scaloni’s staff struggled to create possibilities. Argentina managed 77% of possession however managed simply one shot heading in the right direction from 9 makes an attempt, one of many least productive performances of Scaloni’s tenure.
Scaloni most popular to not discuss concerning the referee
Within the aftermath, Lionel Scaloni was requested about Daronco’s choice to not ship off Alderete. Whereas visibly annoyed, the Argentina coach selected to stay diplomatic.
“I can say numerous issues, however I’d slightly not,” mentioned Scaloni. “First, as a result of it wouldn’t make sense, and second, it may come throughout as an excuse. I don’t wish to make it sound like one. What occurred on the pitch is there for everybody to see, however it doesn’t change how Paraguay gained the match,” the coach ended.
What’s subsequent for Messi and Argentina?
With the loss to Paraguay, Argentina now sits with seven wins, one draw, and three losses after 11 matches within the qualifiers, trailing Colombia, who may tie them on factors with a win. The next match in Argentina’s schedule might be on Tuesday, November 19, when they are going to host Peru at La Bombonera, hoping to bounce again and get well from this sudden setback.
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