Lionel Messi angrily confronted the referee during Argentina's shock World Cup 2026 qualifying 2-1 defeat away to Paraguay on Thursday evening.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Vinicius Júnior had frustrating nights in South American World Cup qualifying.

Argentina and Brazil faced tough nights in World Cup qualifiers, with Argentina losing 2-1 to Paraguay and Brazil drawing 1-1 with Venezuela. Messi and Vinicius Júnior had challenging performances, affecting their teams' standings.

Antonio Sanabria's spectacular bicycle kick, Omar Alderete's header give hosts narrow win against Lionel Messi-led Argentina - Anadolu Ajansı

Lionel Messi, Julián Alvarez and Lautaro Martínez all started for the World Cup holders as they were stunned at Estadio Defensores del Chaco.

Argentina and Brazil will have two of their leading stars available again as South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup resumes with the last two rounds of games this year.

Argentina pays a visit to the Estadio Defensores del Chaco to square up against Paraguay in the first of the two CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier games it'll play to close out 2024's international action.

Argentina will remain on the top of the 10-team round robin competition with 22 points in 11 matches. Brazil are provisionally in third place in the standings with 17 points

World champions Argentina suffered a 2-1 defeat to Paraguay while rivals Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw at Venezuela as South America's big guns struggled in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Thursday.