Prediction Of Argentina's 2026 World Cup Qualification Vs Paraguay: Messi Can Appear

Argentin captain Lionel Messi underwent training with the team ahead of Paraguay. (Twitter @Argentina)

JAKARTA - Lionel Messi was able to appear to strengthen Argentina against Paraguay in the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifying match at the Mas Monumental Stadium, Friday, October 13 morning WIB. However, he did not start in the third duel of qualification.

Messi was a puzzle because he struggled with a muscle injury that kept him out of Inter Miami for four games.

The 36-year-old was finally able to play for Inter for 35 minutes when he came on as a substitute when he lost to FC Cincinnati 1-0.

Despite recovering from injury and being able to play again, coach Lionel Scaloni did not immediately field Messi as a starter in the match against Paraguay. The former Barcelona star will be played for 40 minutes in the second half.

Messi gave Argentina a 1-0 win over Ecuador in the first qualifying match. He scored his only goal in that match.

In the second match against Bolivia, Messi was absent. But La Albiceleste even won 3-0 through goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Tagliafico and Nicolas Gonzalez.

The successive victory shows Argentina's consistency since winning the 2022 World Cup. They won all trial matches from March to June, including a 2-0 win over Indonesia in Jakarta.

However, Argentina did not field the best squad against the Red and White team. Even Messi did not come to Indonesia.

Scaloni tampaknya mulai membawa timnas tidak harus bergantung kepada Messi. Regeneration pemain mulai dilakukan dengan memanggil pemain dari Argentina U21, yaitu bek kiri Lucas Esquivel. Selain itu, Scaloni memasukkan pemain dari U-23.

Their summons is also inseparable from a number of senior players who are absent against Paraguay.

Wingers Angel Di Maria and Paulo Dybala are confirmed not to appear due to injury. Likewise Manchester United centre-back Leandro Martinez, who had to undergo metatarsal surgery, so he had to be sidelined for a long time. With Dybala's absence and Messi not being sent down as a starter, the front line is inhabited by Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez. They received support from Nicolas Gonzalez.

In the middle there is Enzo Fernandez who is ready to collaborate with Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister.

While the defender duo is filled by Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi who operate at the heart of defense. With a defender quartet, they fortify goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

"In addition to trying to continue the winning trend, we want to maintain our way of playing. Right now, we seem to be able to easily win, but everything can change quickly," said Scaloni.

"We have to be able to take advantage of the moment by bringing young players to learn how seniors train," he said.

Responding to Paraguay's strength, Scaloni admitted that he did not know how to prepare the opposing team. According to him, the team is fully focused on their own game. They can play as the coach wants.

"I don't know how Paraguay prepares for this match. They may use three centre-backs. But what's clear, we focus on our own game and play as desired," Scaloni said again.

Paraguay, which has experienced a decline, does not seem to be a tough opponent for Argentina. The team has just changed coaches after Albirroja's poor results. They have only won once from seven matches over the past 12 months.

Guillermo Barros Schellotto was sacked last September after two years in charge of Paraguay. His position was replaced by Daniel Garnero, who has coached the club in Paraguay for the past eight years.

Garnero pun harus bekerja keras membangun tim. Apalagi, dirinya kehilangan tiga pemain pilar, Andres Cubas, Crithian Paredes dan Diego Gomez, karena mengalami cedera.

To fill the hole in the middle sector, Garnero prepared Richard Sanchez, Alejandro Romero and Mathias Villasanti. While in front, Newcastle United winger Miguel Almiron became the first choice with Gabriel Avalos and Ramon Sosa.

With the current strength and material of the players, Garnero did not set a high target against the far-seeded hosts. Even without Messi, Argentina is still too strong for the visitors. This is what keeps Garnero realistic.

Argentina Lineup Forecast (4-3-3): E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Martinez, Alvarez, Gonzalez

Paraguay (4-3-3): Coronal; Rojas, Balbuena, Gomez, Alonso; Villasanti, Sanchez, Romero; Almiron, Avalos, Sosa