Just four days after his first match in the MLS Cup Play-offs ended in a shocking defeat, Lionel Messi has turned his attention back to Argentina as the reigning world champions resume their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay on Thursday.

MORE – South America qualifying fixtures, table, center

Inter Miami bounced back in the first round of the MLS play-offs on Sunday, losing 3-2 to Atlanta United in Game 3 of a best-of-three series, putting an early end to the club’s record season and Messi’s quest for a new one. league championship. In his last appearance for the national team, Messi scored a hat-trick in the 6-0 win against Bolivia, a staggering 112 goals in his illustrious international career (out of 189). That number is now exactly twice as high as any other player. Argentinian history (Gabriel Batistuta – 56),

Argentina is approaching the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and is at the top of the CONMEBOL rankings with 22 points from 10 matches. Paraguay, having qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2010, remains in 6th place, one place and one point above the cut-off mark.

How to watch Paraguay – Argentina live broadcast, broadcast link and start time

start time: 18:30 ET Thursday (November 14)
Space: Estadio Defensores del Chaco
Stream link: Fanatic USA

Paraguay team news, focus

Antonio Sanabria leads the way with 3 goals, accounting for 75 of Paraguay’s goals in the World Cup qualifiers. Yes, that’s 4 goals in 10 games. Unless you concede a goal that rarely, it’s almost impossible to qualify for the World Cup at this rate. Four goals were scored, four goals were conceded. Three 1-0 defeats; no one has scored more than one goal against them. Three victories, all by one goal; We could only score in 3 of 10 matches.

Argentina team news, focus

Messi leads all players with (surprise, surprise) 6 goals, followed not so closely by 36-year-old defender Nicolas Otamendi (3 goals) and forwards Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Gonzalez (2 each). Gonzalez will be Argentina’s main miss this week as he recovers from his thigh injury.

Paraguay-Argentina forecast

Chances are there will be very few and it may end up falling into a stationary piece. Advantage: Messi and Otamendi. Paraguay 0-1 Argentina.