Paraguay vs Argentina: Argentina and Paraguay will face off, each team striving for crucial points in their journey toward World Cup qualification.
Match Details
- Date: November 14, 2024
- Time: 23:30 UTC
- Venue: Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asuncion, Paraguay
Head-to-Head
Paraguay wins: 3
Argentina wins: 7
Draws: 7
Last Five Meetings
- Oct 2023: Argentina 1-0 Paraguay (World Cup Qualifiers)
- Oct 2021: Paraguay 0-0 Argentina (World Cup Qualifiers)
- Jun 2021: Argentina 1-0 Paraguay (Copa America)
- Nov 2020: Argentina 1-1 Paraguay (World Cup Qualifiers)
- Jun 2019: Argentina 1-1 Paraguay (Copa America)
Standings
- Argentina: Leading the qualification table with 22 points from 10 matches (7 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses).
- Paraguay: Sitting sixth with 13 points from 10 matches (3 wins, 4 draws, 3 losses).
Lineups
Paraguay
- Goalkeeper: Roberto Fernandez
- Defenders: Juan Jose Caceres, Gustavo Gomez, Omar Alderete, Junior Alonso
- Midfielders: Andres Cubas, Diego Gomez, Miguel Almiron
- Forwards: Julio Enciso, Ramon Sosa, Isidro Pitta
Argentina
- Goalkeeper: Geronimo Rulli
- Defenders: Nicolas Tagliafico, Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina, Nicolas Otamendi
- Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister
- Forwards: Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez
Key Players to Watch
- Paraguay: Miguel Almiron will lead Paraguay’s midfield, while Julio Enciso and Ramon Sosa are expected to play crucial roles in the attack.
- Argentina: Lionel Messi, fresh from stellar performances, remains Argentina’s key playmaker. Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez will bolster the attack.
10 Key Stats to Know
- Argentina has won two of their last five matches against Paraguay, with the other three ending in draws.
- Paraguay has not won at home against Argentina since 2009.
- Argentina scores 32% of their goals between minutes 31-45.
- Paraguay has been undefeated in their last four matches.
- Argentina has scored in each of their last 15 games.
- Paraguay has failed to score in two of their five home qualifiers this season.
- Paraguay wins 16% of first halves, while Argentina wins 43%.
- Argentina has a higher win percentage in away games (66%) when leading 1-0.
- Antonio Sanabria is Paraguay’s top scorer in the qualifiers with three goals, while Lionel Messi leads Argentina with six.
- Argentina averages 1.6 goals away from home, compared to Paraguay’s 1 goal at home.
SWOT Analysis: Paraguay vs Argentina
Argentina
Strengths
- Strong Offensive Record: Argentina has scored 19 goals across 10 matches, showcasing their ability to consistently find the back of the net.
- Solid Form and Momentum: With 22 points and first place in the standings, Argentina has won 7 of their 10 matches.
- Star Power and Key Players: With top talents like Lionel Messi (6 goals in qualifiers), Julian Alvarez, and Lautaro Martinez, Argentina’s lineup has both experience and firepower.
- Goal Scoring in Key Moments: Argentina scores 32% of their goals between the 31st and 45th minutes, showing an ability to capitalize on opponents just before halftime.
- Away Performance: Argentina has not failed to score in any of their 5 away matches, and they lead in first-half wins (43%).
Weaknesses
- Defensive Vulnerabilities: Although strong offensively, Argentina has allowed 5 goals, which could be an area of concern against tougher competition.
- Reliance on Key Players: Argentina’s attacking play is often centered around Messi, and his absence or injury could impact their performance.
- Close Matches: The average number of goals scored in recent Argentina-Paraguay encounters is low (1.2), indicating a challenge to break down Paraguay’s defense.
Opportunities
- Capitalizing on Paraguay’s Home Weakness: Paraguay has failed to score in 2 of their 5 home matches, creating an opportunity for Argentina’s defense to focus on their own counterattacks.
- Extend Scoring Streak: Argentina has scored in 15 consecutive games, and another goal could demoralize Paraguay, especially in an away setting.
- Maintain Top Position: Winning this game would solidify Argentina’s lead in the CONMEBOL standings, edging them closer to World Cup qualification.
Threats
- Paraguay’s Recent Form: Paraguay has remained unbeaten in their last four matches, suggesting they may have momentum going into this encounter.
- Home Advantage for Paraguay: Paraguay has a positive historical home record against Argentina, with 2 wins and 2 draws in their last 5 home matches.
- Physicality of Paraguay’s Defense: Paraguay’s defensive lineup, featuring Gustavo Gomez and Omar Alderete, could be a challenge for Argentina’s attack.
Paraguay
Strengths
- Home Record Against Argentina: Paraguay has proven difficult to beat at home, with Argentina managing only 1 win in their last 5 visits.
- Resilience in Recent Matches: Paraguay is unbeaten in their last four games, indicating defensive improvements and a balanced approach.
- Experienced Defense: Paraguay’s defense, led by players like Gustavo Gomez, has been effective at keeping games tight, evident in their 4:4 goal ratio.
- Strong Set-Piece Play: Paraguay often capitalizes on set pieces to score, which could prove effective against Argentina’s defense.
Weaknesses
- Struggles with Goal Scoring: Paraguay has scored just 4 goals in 10 games, demonstrating difficulty in creating and converting scoring opportunities.
- First Half Weakness: Paraguay wins only 16% of halftimes, which could allow Argentina to take an early lead and control the game.
- Inconsistent Home Performance: Paraguay has failed to score in 2 of their 5 home matches, limiting their advantage at Estadio Defensores del Chaco.
Opportunities
- Capitalizing on Argentina’s Defensive Gaps: Argentina has allowed 5 goals, giving Paraguay a chance to exploit any defensive lapses.
- Breaking Argentina’s Away Winning Streak: With a strong defense, Paraguay could aim for a draw or a narrow victory, as Argentina has struggled in recent low-scoring encounters against them.
- Potential to Climb Standings: A win or draw would help Paraguay retain their sixth position and keep World Cup qualification hopes alive.
Threats
- Argentina’s Recent Dominance: Argentina has won the last two meetings (1-0) and remains a difficult opponent to break down due to their tactical discipline and scoring ability.
- Limited Scoring Options: Antonio Sanabria is Paraguay’s top scorer with only 3 goals, indicating limited offensive resources compared to Argentina.
- Argentina’s Strong Away Record: Argentina scores an average of 1.6 goals in away matches, meaning Paraguay’s defense will have to be at its best to keep them at bay.
Paraguay vs Argentina Prediction
With their recent form and head-to-head record, Argentina is the favorite going into this match. Paraguay, however, will look to use home advantage and disrupt Argentina’s rhythm. Expect a tight contest, but Argentina is likely to edge out a win.
Prediction: Paraguay 0-1 Argentina
Where to Watch Paraguay vs Argentina
- Free Live Stream: Watch live on ScoreBat
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