Messi angry with referee in Argentina’s defeat

Albiceleste was winning but lost to Paraguay in the race for the World Cup

Argentina , with Benfica’s Otamendi in the starting line-up, lost to Paraguay (1-2), at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium, in Asunción, in the 11th round of the South American qualification for the 2026 World Cup , a match that was marked by a moment of irritation from Lionel Messi in front of the referee.

The moment occurred at half-time, with the score at 1-1, thanks to Lautaro Martínez ‘s opening goal (11′) which Sanabria disallowed with a bicycle kick (19’): the number 10 was not happy that a foul had not been called for a tackle by two Paraguayans and went to complain to the match referee, Brazilian Anderson Daronco.

In the second half, Alderete, who saw the Argentines ask for his expulsion before half-time, confirmed Paraguay’s comeback with a header (47′), which remains in 6th place in the table (qualifying place), with 16 points, while the Argentine team remains in the lead, with 22.