PREVIEW
Argentina and will have one of its leading star available again as South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup resumes with the last two rounds of games this year.
The Defending World Cup champion will once again count on goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who was suspended for two international matches in October.
Argentina currently has 22 points, three more than Colombia, with Uruguay and Brazil third and fourth with 16 points each. Ecuador and Paraguay, with 13 points, complete the top six which are direct spots in the next World Cup.
Argentina can move even closer to a spot at the World Cup by beating Paraguay and Peru.
Captain Lionel Messi will be his team’s best hope for goals once again after his hat trick and two assists in the 6-0 win against Bolivia in October, with the 37-year-old the top scorer in the current South American qualifying.
Argentina will travel to Asuncion with an additional challenge since Paraguay has been unbeaten since coach Gustavo Alfaro, an Argentine, took over in the middle of the year.
- AP
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD IN WC QUALIFYING
Played: 7
Argentina wins: 3
Draws: 3
Paraguay wins: 1
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Argentina: Martinez(GK); Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Lo Celso; Lautaro Martinez, Alvarez, Messi.
Paraguay: Fernandez(GK); Caceres, Gomez, Alderete, Alonso; Gomez, Cubas, Sosa, Almiron, Enciso; Sanabria
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