Nicolás Otamendi scored an early goal for Argentina in the 1-0 win vs. Paraguay in the World Cup qualifiers.
Otamendi started the match as captain, with Lionel Messi on the bench and he did what Messi normally does and that is score. Rodrigo De Paul sent a cross into the penalty area off a corner kick and the 35 year old defender struck the ball on the volley and scored.
Rodrigo De Paul would nearly get a goal himself but he hit the post before the end of the first half. Nicolás González had a chance at the very end of the first half but his effort went just wide. Alexis Mac Allister had the dribble of the match in the first half as he cut through several Paraguayan players inside the penalty area but was unable to score.
Lionel Messi came on as a substitute for Julian Alvarez in the second half and while he did not score, he did hit the post twice. The first was a corner kick where he nearly scored an olimpico goal but his effort hit the post.
Messi would get a free kick at the end of the match but once more, he would hit the post. Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni made substitutions in the second half with Leandro Paredes coming on for Enzo Fernández, Gio Lo Celso for Rodrigo De Paul and Lucas Ocampos for Nicolás González.
Argentina Player Rating
Emiliano Martinez (6/10): Had just one save and didn’t have to do too much else as Paraguay were contained by those in front of hi.
Nicolas Tagliafico (8/10): Won’t get the attention, but put in a quietly-good defensive shift at left-back while being near-flawless with the ball at his feet.
Nicolas Otamendi (8/10): A striker’s finish! The defender smashed a fantastic volley for his fifth international goal and then turned around and locked down Paraguay for all 90 minutes. A massive performance.
Cristian Romero (7/10): Didn’t do as much on either end as his centerback partner, but was still as solid as can be.
Nahuel Molina (7/10): Similar to Tagliafico, but just a bit less involved. Still, a very good day out for the Atletico Madrid man
Alexis Mac Allister (7/10): A few fantastic tackled and did what he always does to keep things ticking with the ball. Absolutely dazzled on on Messi-esque sequence at the edge of the Paraguaybox.
Enzo Fernandez (7/10): Did a little bit of everything for Argentina, proving once again why he fits so perfectly in this team as assembled.
Rodrigo De Paul (8/10): Provided the assist from the corner on Otamendi’s goal and nearly scored himself by hitting the post later on in the first half. Totally ran the game from the midfield, ensuring Argentina didn’t have much trouble with whatever Paraguay threw at them.
Julian Alvarez (7/10): Was unlucky to be taken off somewhat early for Messi, as the Manchester City star was the best player in Argentina’s attack. Played a big role creatively, even if he didn’t get a goal or an assist on the day.
Lautaro Martinez (6/10): He continues to score for Inter, but it’s now been over a year since he scored for Argentina. With Alvarez shining, is his place in danger? This performance won’t help as he mustered just one total shot.
Nicolas Gonzalez (6/10): Had a chance just before the half, but couldn’t convert. Pretty wasteful, overall, as Paraguay were happier to let him have the ball than the other two in attack.
Subs
Lionel Messi (6/10): Didn’t look fit, but still hit both an Olimpico and a free kick off the post because he is who he is. Probably didn’t need to be risked in this game, though.
Leandro Paredes (N/A): Came on late to provide fresh legs in place of Fernandez, who was also sitting on a yellow card.
Lionel Scaloni (8/10): Got the team selection spot on as Argentina navigated a Messi-less lineup. Another game, another win on the road to the World Cup. Questions to be asked of his usage with Messi, remain, however.
