Messi frustrated as Argentina loses World Cup qualifier in Paraguay

ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) — Argentina had a frustrating night in South American World Cup qualifying Friday, with Lionel Messi unable to help his team avoid a 2-1 defeat in Paraguay.

Despite the loss, Argentina will remain on the top of the 10-team round robin competition with 22 points in 11 matches.

Argentina played in Paraguay with the hosts having banned local fans from wearing any Messi shirts in the home crowd. TV footage of the match in Asuncion showed that the vast majority of the local crowd was wearing Paraguay’s red and white colors, with no Messi shirts visible in the local broadcasts.

Messi had few opportunities to touch the ball during the first half, but saw Lautaro Martinez open the scoring in the 11th minute. The goal was allowed after a video review.

Paraguay scored the equalizer with a bicycle kick by Antonio Sanabria in the 19th minute, shortly after defender Gustavo Gomez hit the bar with a header.

The hosts continued to apply pressure, and gave the Argentine star some heavy marking. Messi showed he was upset with Brazilian referee Anderson Daronco for not sending off Paraguay’s Omar Alderete for his aggressive tackles.

It was Alderete who scored Paraguay’s winner with a header in the 47th minute, which puts Paraguay back in contention for a spot in the next World Cup.

"We came to a hard place where the national team always struggled," said Martinez. "We have to correct a lot of things we did wrong in this match, but generally speaking we are playing well. We are still in the lead, and we have to look forward."