Argentina‘s legendary forward Lionel Messi and Brazil’s rising star Vinicius Júnior experienced frustrating setbacks during their South American World Cup qualifying matches on November 14, 2024. Messi’s Argentina suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against Paraguay, while Vinicius Júnior faced disappointment as he missed a crucial second-half penalty in Brazil’s 1-1 draw against Venezuela.
Despite this loss, Argentina maintained its lead in the grueling 10-team round-robin competition, holding the top spot with 22 points after 11 matches. In contrast, Brazil found itself provisionally sitting in third place in the standings, with a total of 17 points accrued so far.
Further adding to the day’s drama, Ecuador secured a commanding 4-0 victory over Bolivia, ensuring their position in fifth place with 16 points, while Bolivia lingered in eighth with only 12 points.
As the 11th round of South American World Cup qualifying progresses, all eyes will turn to Friday’s matches: Colombia, currently in second place, will face Uruguay, while the bottom two teams, Peru and Chile, are set to clash in Lima.
In Asuncion, where Argentina faced Paraguay, the home crowd was notably absent of Messi jerseys due to a local ban, showcasing the patriotism of local fans clad in their national colors. TV footage revealed that the stands were largely filled with Paraguay’s red and white, completely omitting Messi’s iconic number 10 shirts from visibility.
During the first half of the match, Messi found it challenging to influence the game, rarely touching the ball, but he witnessed his teammate Lautaro Martínez score in the 11th minute with a well-timed crossed shot that was validated after a video review.
Paraguay quickly responded, equalizing in the 19th minute thanks to a spectacular bicycle kick by Antonio Sanabria, shortly after defender Gustavo Gómez threatened with a header that struck the crossbar.
Paraguay continued to apply relentless pressure throughout the first half, marking Messi closely. The Argentine star visibly expressed his frustration towards Brazilian referee Anderson Daronco after a series of aggressive tackles from Paraguay’s Omar Alderete, who eventually found the net himself with a decisive header in the 47th minute, giving Paraguay a 2-1 advantage.
“We came to a hard place where the national team always struggled,” commented Martínez. “We have to correct a lot of things we did wrong in this match, but generally speaking we are playing well. We are still in the lead, and we have to look forward.”
On the Brazilian side, Vinicius Júnior’s goal drought in World Cup qualifying extended to six matches. He had an opportunity to secure a potential winning goal after he earned a penalty in the 67th minute, but his low shot was saved by Venezuelan goalkeeper Rafael Romo. In the subsequent rush for the rebound, Vinicius unfortunately shot wide.
In the first half, Brazil created several scoring opportunities, with Vinicius notably hitting the post after showcasing his dribbling prowess by bypassing three Venezuelan defenders before taking a shot from the edge of the area. Raphinha broke the deadlock with a beautifully executed free-kick in the 43rd minute.
After halftime, Venezuela made a pivotal substitution by bringing in 21-year-old Telasco Segovia, who made an immediate impact by equalizing just minute into the second half with a powerful shot from distance, shifting the momentum of the game.
Venezuela faced further challenges when they went down to 10 men in the 89th minute following a red card for Alexander Gonzalez, who was sent off for a dangerous foul on both Gabriel Martinelli and Vinicius Júnior.
In a bizarre turn of events, the stadium’s irrigation system activated merely two minutes before the match concluded at the Monumental Stadium in Maturin, creating a scene of frustration among the Brazilian players who felt their efforts were undermined.
“When we don’t win I leave the pitch a bit disappointed, we deserved to win this one,” Raphinha expressed post-match. “But it is an important point playing away; we are working hard to capture the next victory at home.”
Ecuador’s impressive win over Bolivia featured goals from Enner Valencia in the 26th minute, a brace from Gonzalo Plata in the 28th and 49th minutes, and a final touch from Alan Minda in the 61st minute, solidifying their position in the qualifying race.
Published – November 15, 2024 01:06 pm IST
What strategies can Argentina implement to overcome their recent defeat and strengthen their World Cup qualification chances?
**Interview with Sports Analyst Maria Gonzalez on Recent South American World Cup Qualifiers**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Maria. Let’s dive right into it. Lionel Messi and Argentina faced a surprising defeat against Paraguay. How crucial was this loss for their World Cup qualifying campaign?
**Maria Gonzalez:** Thank you for having me. This loss is definitely a setback for Argentina, but not necessarily catastrophic. Although they lost 2-1, they still maintain the top position with 22 points. So, while the defeat stings, they need to stay focused as they continue their campaign.
**Interviewer:** Of course. And what about Messi’s performance? It seemed like he struggled to make an impact on the game.
**Maria Gonzalez:** Yes, Messi had a tough match. He wasn’t as involved as he usually is, with a limited number of touches. Paraguay’s intense marking certainly took him out of his game. However, it’s important to remember that even legends have off days, and that kind of defensive strategy can be effective against a player of Messi’s caliber.
**Interviewer:** On the flip side, Vinicius Júnior missed a crucial penalty for Brazil in their match against Venezuela. What implications does this have for him and the team moving forward?
**Maria Gonzalez:** This missed penalty is significant for Vinicius and Brazil. It marks the sixth consecutive match without a goal for him in World Cup qualifying. Such pressure can weigh heavily on a young player, and it’s crucial for him to regain his confidence. Brazil is still in third place, but they need Vinicius to be at his best if they want to climb higher in the standings.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of standings, Ecuador had a remarkable 4-0 win against Bolivia, pushing them into the mix. How does this affect the competitive landscape of the qualifiers?
**Maria Gonzalez:** Ecuador’s impressive win certainly tightens the race for World Cup qualification. With 16 points, they’re now breathing down Colombia’s neck, who is in second place. It showcases the unpredictability of these qualifiers, where any team can capitalize on an opportunity and change their fortunes dramatically.
**Interviewer:** And all eyes are on the upcoming match between Colombia and Uruguay, along with the clash between Peru and Chile. What do you expect to see in these matchups?
**Maria Gonzalez:** These matches are critical. Colombia needs to secure points to maintain pressure on Argentina, while Uruguay will be eager to return to form. The Peru-Chile match is a battle for survival, as both teams are struggling at the bottom of the table. It’s a must-win for them to stay relevant in the race. we can anticipate intense and high-stakes football!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Maria, for your insights. It’s certainly an exciting time in South American football as we approach the next round of qualifiers!
**Maria Gonzalez:** Thank you for having me! I can’t wait to see how the matches unfold.
