Match report

Argentina Defeats Paraguay 1-0 in World Cup Qualification

Argentina
Argentina
1–0
FT
Paraguay
Paraguay
Oct 12, 2023

Argentina held off Paraguay with a narrow 1-0 victory in the World Cup Qualification South America match. Nicolás Otamendi scored the only goal in the third minute, assisted by Rodrigo De Paul, setting the tone for Argentina's solid defensive performance throughout the game. Both teams exchanged multiple substitutions and saw several yellow cards but failed to break through the defenses again, securing Argentina’s three points.

Key Facts

  • • Nicolás Otamendi scored the match-winning goal in the 3rd minute, assisted by Rodrigo De Paul
  • • E. Fernandez (Argentina) and Junior Alonso (Paraguay) both received yellow cards in the first half
  • • A. Bareiro (Paraguay) was cautioned with a yellow card in the 50th minute
  • • Argentina made several substitutions, including Lionel Messi being replaced by J. Álvarez in the 53rd minute
  • • Paraguay made multiple substitutions in the second half, with a total of five players coming on

Lineups

Argentina

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 23 E. Martinez (G)
  • 21 N. Molina (D)
  • 13 C. Romero (D)
  • 19 N. Otamendi (D)
  • 3 N. Tagliafico (D)
  • 7 R. de Paul (M)
  • 16 E. Fernandez (M)
  • 20 A. Mac Allister (M)
  • 15 N. Gonzalez (F)
  • 22 L. Martinez (F)
  • 9 J. Alvarez (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 F. Armani
  • 2 L. Martinez Quarta
  • 4 G. Montiel
  • 5 L. Paredes
  • 6 G. Pezzella
  • 8 M. Acuna
  • 10 L. Messi
  • 11 G. Lo Celso
  • 12 J. Musso
  • 14 L. Ocampos
  • 17 A. Garnacho
  • 18 G. Rodriguez

Paraguay

Formation: 3-4-3

Starting XI

  • 1 Carlos Coronel (G)
  • 5 Fabian Balbuena (D)
  • 15 G. Gomez (D)
  • 6 J. Alonso (D)
  • 14 I. Ramirez (M)
  • 8 A. Campuzano (M)
  • 20 R. Sanchez (M)
  • 4 M. Espinoza (M)
  • 10 M. Almiron (F)
  • 21 A. Bareiro (F)
  • 19 R. Sosa (F)

Substitutes

  • 2 R. Rojas
  • 3 O. Alderete
  • 7 G. Avalos
  • 9 A. Sanabria
  • 11 H. Villalba
  • 12 S. Rojas
  • 13 M. Galarza
  • 16 M. Rojas
  • 17 Kaku
  • 18 G. Gimenez
  • 22 J. Espinola
  • 23 B. Ojeda

Timeline

  1. Argentina
    3' Argentina Goal · Normal Goal
    Nicolás Otamendi · Assist: R. De Paul
  2. Argentina
    7' Argentina Card · Yellow Card
    E. Fernandez

    Foul

  3. Paraguay
    21' Paraguay Card · Yellow Card
    Junior Alonso

    Foul

  4. Paraguay
    46' Paraguay subst · Substitution 1
    Off: I. Ramírez · On: R. Rojas
  5. Paraguay
    50' Paraguay Card · Yellow Card
    A. Bareiro

    Foul

  6. Argentina
    53' Argentina subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Álvarez · On: L. Messi
  7. Paraguay
    70' Paraguay subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Bareiro · On: A. Sanabria
  8. Paraguay
    71' Paraguay subst · Substitution 3
    Off: A. Campuzano · On: B. Ojeda
  9. Paraguay
    76' Paraguay subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Junior Alonso · On: H. Villalba
  10. Argentina
    80' Argentina subst · Substitution 2
    Off: E. Fernandez · On: Leandro Paredes
  11. Paraguay
    86' Paraguay subst · Substitution 5
    Off: M. Almirón · On: G. Avalos
  12. Argentina
    90'+4 Argentina subst · Substitution 3
    Off: R. De Paul · On: G. Lo Celso
  13. Argentina
    90'+4 Argentina subst · Substitution 4
    Off: N. Gonzalez · On: L. Ocampos

Match Stats

Stat Argentina Paraguay
Fouls 10 19
Pass Accuracy 91% 72%
Offsides 3 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 15 4
Corners 9 1
Total Passes 741 251
Yellow Cards 1 2
Blocked Shots 4 2
Shots on Target 4 1
xG — —
Shots off Target 7 1
Possession 75% 25%
Accurate Passes 671 181
Shots Inside Box 8 2
Saves 1 3
Shots Outside Box 7 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Nicolás Otamendi's early goal in the third minute provided Argentina with a crucial lead and set the tone for the game
  • ▸ Paraguay's inability to capitalize on several substitutions and maintain pressure, despite numerical advantages at times, allowed Argentina to control the game's momentum