Argentina vs Paraguay: World Cup Qualifiers 2026

Introduction

Argentina and Paraguay will meet for their FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers clash at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Friday October 13, 2023. Argentina are looking to continue their perfect start to qualification while Paraguay are hoping for redemption after suffering their maiden defeat at Venezuela last time out.

Argentina’s form

Argentina are currently leading CONMEBOL World Cup Qualification with nine points after three matches and have won all of them while scoring seven goals and conceding none.

Lionel Scaloni has guided Argentina since winning Copa America 2021 to an unblemished record across 32 matches across all competitions – an unbeaten streak they will aim to extend against Paraguay on Monday evening.

Paraguay’s form

Paraguay sits seventh in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying table with four points from three matches played – winning one match, drawing another and dropping out in another one.

Paraguay under Daniel Garnero, their newly appointed coach, are still searching for their ideal team and hope that a good performance against Argentina can boost their hopes of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup tournament.

Head-to-head record

Argentina and Paraguay have met in all competitions 94 times since 1992; Argentina won 57 matches while Paraguay claimed 16 victories, leaving 21 drawn matches between them.

Argentina have won each of the last three meetings between these teams and are considered favorites to do so again on Friday.

Team news

Argentina will be without Angel Di Maria as she recovers from muscle strain. Lionel Messi remains uncertain for this matchup but should make enough appearances to form part of its bench.

Paraguay will be without Miguel Almiron for this match due to suspension; Celso Ortiz remains injured.

Predicted lineups

Argentina: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi and Tagliafico are key members. Also important are De Paul, Paredes Mac Allister as well as Gonzalez Lautaro Messi – players he used in 2001 against Switzerland during his European campaign.

Paraguayan Team Players : Silva; Rojas, Gomez, Balbuena and Alderete. Piris Morel Cardozo Romero Sanchez Bareiro.

Match preview

Argentina will likely emerge victorious against Paraguay. They possess a more talented roster on paper and they appear to be playing better overall; however, Paraguay could prove unpredictable enough to cause an upset win!

Argentina must remain wary of Paraguay’s counterattacking threat. They possess some quick players with potential, who could cause trouble should space be given for them in behind.

Argentina must show patience in its attacking strategy against Paraguay. They’ll likely sit deep and defend, so Argentina needs to find ways to break them down and break through them quickly.

Conclusion

Argentina will look to maintain their winning start to World Cup Qualifying when they face Paraguay on Friday. Paraguay may hope for redemption following their loss against Venezuela but face stiff opposition against Argentina – likely making for an extremely challenging contest.