Argentina's Lionel Messi and Brazil's Vinicius Júnior had frustrating nights in South American World Cup qualifying. While Messi could not help his team avoid a 2-1 defeat at Paraguay, Vinicius Junior missed a second-half penalty as Brazil was held to a 1-1 draw at Venezuela on Thursday.

Argentina are set to face Peru this Tuesday in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, but Lionel Messi's team has suffered a significant setback. Two key players have been ruled out due to injury concerns.

Paraguay shocked Argentina 2-1 at Estadio Defensores del Chaco in a riveting FIFA World Cup qualifier. Lautaro Martínez started Argentina's score in the 11th minute; then, in the 19th minute, Paraguayan Antonio Sanabria equalised with an amazing bicycle kick.