Argentina falls to Paraguay as Brazil settles for draw against Venezuela

World Cup champions Argentina suffered a setback in their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-1 loss to Paraguay, while Brazil was held to a 1-1 draw at Venezuela in a challenging round of matches on Thursday.

Argentina initially took the lead against Paraguay when Lautaro Martinez, aided by an exquisite ball from Enzo Fernandez, slotted in a low finish.

Despite an offside flag, VAR ruled the striker onside, awarding the visitors an 11th-minute advantage.

However, Paraguay quickly responded with a stunning bicycle kick from Antonio Sanabria, leveling the score in the 19th minute.

Paraguay capitalized on their momentum after halftime, with Omar Alderete heading home the winning goal from a Diego Gomez cross in the 47th minute.

Argentina, despite efforts to respond, including a cross from Lionel Messi for Valentín Castellanos, struggled to create clear-cut chances, allowing Paraguay to secure the win and move up to sixth place in the standings, while Argentina remains at the top with 22 points.

In a separate match, Brazil faced Venezuela, and despite dominating possession, were unable to secure a win.

Raphinha’s early free-kick gave Brazil the lead, but a second-half strike from Telasco Segovia leveled the score. Vinicius Junior, who had scored a hat-trick for Real Madrid just days earlier, missed a penalty, and Brazil had to settle for a draw.

The result leaves Brazil in third place with 17 points, as they continue their bid for automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Gerson then threatened with a chest down and volley from the edge of the box which flashed over the bar as the Selecao pushed for the opener.

Vinicius then hit the post from close range after good work from Savinho.

Romo was forced into a full stretch save to keep out a low drive from Gerson but, two minutes before the interval, Brazil finally broke through with Raphinha’s bending free-kick flying in off in the inside of the far post.

Venezuela drew level within a minute of the break — Segovia, just seconds after being brought off the bench, blasting in from the edge of the box after a smart lay off from Jefferson Savarino.

Vinicius then had a great chance to restore Brazil’s advantage in the 62nd after he was brought down in the box by Romo, but the keeper made amends diving low to keep out the spot kick.

Brazil, third in the standings, searched desperately for a winner but Venezuela’s back-line held firm as the ‘Vinotinto’ picked up a potentially precious point.

Venezuela are in seventh place on 12 points and the seventh-place team will enter an Inter-confederation playoff for a spot in the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Ecuador are in fifth spot after Gonzalo Plata scored twice in a 4-0 win over Bolivia in Guayaquil.

Veteran striker Enner Valencia opened the scoring with a 26th-minute penalty before Plata’s brace either side of half-time. Alan Minda wrapped up the win with a shot from outside the box.

Uruguay face Colombia and Peru host Chile in Friday’s qualifiers.