Argentina draw 1-1 with Paraguay in World Cup qualifier

Argentina conceded a first-half penalty however recovered to safe a 1-1 draw towards Paraguay within the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Buenos Aires on Thursday.

Angel Romero scored his third purpose in three internationals when he coolly rolled house the penalty for Paraguay halfway by way of the half after Lucas Martinez Quarta was adjudged to have introduced down Miguel Almiron.

Nicolas Gonzalez equalised for Argentina 4 minutes earlier than half-time when he bulleted a header house from a Giovani Lo Celso nook kick. After matching the house aspect for the opening interval Paraguay have been on the again foot for many of the second half within the Boca Juniors stadium, empty due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Argentina thought that they had taken the lead after an hour when Lionel Messi side-footed house, however the purpose was chalked off for an earlier infringement inside their very own half that was picked up by the Video Assistant Referee. At the opposite finish, Paraguay had a loud shout for a penalty turned down after the ball hit the arm of centre again Nicolas Otamendi, who lamented Argentina’s luck after the sport.

“I think in the first half we were a bit uncomfortable with the pressure but when we managed to pass the ball about and find spaces we spent almost the entire second period in their half of the field,” Otamendi mentioned. “We got the goal but unfortunately it didn’t stand.”

The consequence means either side stay unbeaten after the primary three of their 18-game quest to achieve the finals in Qatar. The prime 4 within the 10-team South American qualifying part routinely make the finals, and the fifth-placed aspect go into an inter-regional play-off.

Argentina’s subsequent sport is away at Peru on Tuesday, whereas Paraguay tackle backside aspect Bolivia at house the identical day. Bolivia misplaced 3-2 at house to Ecuador earlier within the day because of a late penalty. The house aspect took the lead shortly earlier than half-time just for Ecuador to attain twice early within the second interval.

Although Marcelo Moreno equalised for Bolivia, Carlos Gruezo scored Ecuador’s winner from the spot two minutes from time, consigning Bolivia to their third loss.