Just four days after his first foray into the MLS Cup Playoffs ended in a shocking upset, Lionel Messi turns his attention back to Argentina as the reigning world champions resume 2026 World Cup qualifying against Paraguay on Thursday. Argentina are back in action on Thursday with a trip to Asuncion to face a tough Paraguay test with a chance to inch closer to a FIFA 2026 World Cup berth. Lionel Messi and company saw off Bolivia last time out with a hat trick plus two assists in a thumping. The Albiceleste cannot afford to ease up as they seek to finish top of the CONMEBOL section which they have not done in the last two qualifying phases. The Argentines rarely drop points, though, and Colombia as well as Venezuela last time out are likely to be those exceptions.

Argentina hope to reestablish a commanding lead in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings as the Albiceleste take on Paraguay to begin the November international break. While Inter Miami's season may be over, the Herons will have players to root for on both sides of the coin as Lionel Messi leads Argentina as always against his young club teammate Diego Gomez. Messi's international side sit top of the table by three points but have been challenged hard by Colombia and Uruguay.

The Paraguayans are tough to crack these days with the Albirroja the last nation to keep Argentina at bay on the road back in 2021. There is plenty of needle in this one but rarely free-flowing soccer with just seven goals from the last seven meetings and goalless over the past two. Winning at home and being tough to beat away is usually the right combination to be in contention to qualify for the World Cup and the Paraguayans are on their way to doing that having beaten the likes of Brazil and drawing with Uruguay. Alfaro saw his side beat Venezuela after drawing with Ecuador which keeps them above Bolivia in the playoff spot and the 2-1 win over the Vinotinto was the first time in this edition that one of the Albirroja's games has produced more than one goal.

Paraguay could present a challenge for Argentina, having seemingly turned over a new leaf of late. The Albirroja sat 62nd in the FIFA rankings this past summer, their lowest in nine years, but have gone unbeaten over their last four games to rise as high as sixth in the qualification standings. That streak includes a win over Brazil and draw with Uruguay, but Messi and Argentina will present their toughest challenge yet. Paraguay are without a victory over the reigning World Cup champions since 2016, a winless run of five meetings.

Lionel Messi’s busy 2024 is coming to an end with a losing streak. Messi, the World Cup champion and Inter Miami star in MLS, was held scoreless as Argentina suffered a 2-1 loss to Paraguay in a World Cup 2026 qualifying match on Thursday night. Paraguay’s Antonio Sanabria scored a bicycle kick, while Omar Alderete opened the second half with the game-deciding goal – assisted by Messi’s Inter Miami teammate Diego Gomez. Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez, the leading scorer from the club’s Copa America title run, scored the opening goal in the 11th minute for the reigning world champions. But they were unable to find the back of the net again Thursday.

Messi will play his final of the game of the year next Tuesday in Buenos Aires when Argentina hosts Peru in another World Cup qualifying match. Messi has lost three straight matches for club and country, including Inter Miami’s losses in Game 2 and 3 of their first-round exit to Atlanta United in the MLS Cup Playoffs. His MLS season ended last Saturday. As for Argentina, it’s the second loss in the last four games, but just the fifth loss overall in 69 matches for the reigning World Cup champions and back-to-back Copa America winners.

The other losses before Thursday’s defeat:

• Argentina lost 2-0 to Brazil in the 2019 Copa America semifinal.

-Argentina opened the Qatar World Cup with a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia on Nov. 22, 2022.

-Argentina lost 2-0 to Uruguay in a WC qualifying match on Nov. 17, 2023.

-Argentina lost 2-1 to Colombia in a Copa America final rematch on Sept. 10 in a game Messi did not play due to an ankle injury.

Messi fired a shot in the 25th minute inside the penalty area, which flew over the net into the stands after it was deflected by Gomez, the No. 1 player on the MLS 22 Under 22 this season. Messi had an extended talk with three referees as the match went to halftime. He had reason to be upset, hitting the deck at least three times after tough challenges by Paraguayan defenders in the first half. The challenges have not resulted in any yellow cards. Messi’s second half was also quiet despite his attempts to help Argentina tie the match.

Argentina still leads the Conmebol World Cup qualifying standings with 22 points, but could concede the lead Friday when Colombia (second with 19 points) visits Uruguay on Friday. Brazil is third with 17 points. Paraguay improved to 16 points with the win, but is behind Uruguay and Ecuador in the standings.