Hey there, football fans of all ages! Whether you’re a kid just learning about the beautiful game or a grown-up who loves cheering for your favorite teams, today’s article is all about one of the coolest matchups in South American soccer: Paraguay versus Argentina. These two teams are neighbors and big rivals, and their games are always full of passion, skills, and surprises. We’re going to talk about their latest lineups from a super important game, explain what everything means in simple words, and even look at the players who make these teams shine. Let’s dive in like we’re kicking off a match!
What Makes Paraguay vs Argentina So Special?
Imagine two friends who love playing soccer in the backyard, but they really want to win! That’s Paraguay and Argentina. Both teams are from South America and play in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. These are games where countries battle to earn a spot in the big FIFA World Cup – the biggest soccer party in the world, happening in 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Paraguay is known as “La Albirroja” because their jerseys are red and white stripes, like a candy cane but way cooler on the field. They’re tough defenders and love to fight hard, even against giants. Argentina, called “La Albiceleste” (sky blue and white), are the current world champions! They won the World Cup in 2022, and they have a superstar named Lionel Messi, who many say is the best player ever. He’s like the magician who makes impossible goals happen.
Their most recent big game was on November 14, 2024, in Asunción, Paraguay, at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco. It was part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Paraguay pulled off a huge upset by winning 2-1! Antonio Sanabria scored an amazing bicycle kick (that’s when you kick the ball over your head while jumping – wow!), and Omar Alderete headed in another goal. Lautaro Martínez scored for Argentina, but it wasn’t enough. This win helped Paraguay climb the standings and showed they can beat anyone at home.
Why do kids and families love these games? Because it’s not just about winning – it’s about heart, teamwork, and those magical moments that make you jump out of your seat!
The Full Lineups: Who Played in That Epic Match?
Lineups are like the starting team in a school game – the coach picks 11 players to begin, with positions like goalkeeper (who stops goals), defenders (who protect), midfielders (who run everywhere and pass), and forwards (who score). Teams can substitute later if someone gets tired.
Here’s the confirmed starting lineups from that November 2024 thriller. I’ll explain each position simply, like goalie = GK, defenders = backs, etc.
Paraguay National Football Team Lineup (Formation: 4-4-2 – Four defenders, four midfielders, two attackers)
Paraguay played smart and defensive, like building a fort to stop Argentina’s attacks.
| Position | Player Name | Club (Where They Play Normally) | Fun Fact for Kids |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Roberto Fernández | Dinamo Moscow (Russia) | He’s like a wall in goal – super brave diver! |
| RB | Gustavo Velázquez | Newell’s Old Boys (Argentina) | Fast runner on the right side. |
| CB | Gustavo Gómez (Captain) | Palmeiras (Brazil) | The boss defender – strong like a superhero! |
| CB | Omar Alderete | Getafe (Spain) | Scored the winning goal with his head! |
| LB | Junior Alonso | Krasnodar (Russia) | Great at crossing the ball from the left. |
| RM | Miguel Almirón | Newcastle United (England) | Super speedy winger – zoom zoom! |
| CM | Andrés Cubas | Vancouver Whitecaps (Canada) | Hard worker in the middle, steals balls like a ninja. |
| CM | Damián Bobadilla | Independiente (Argentina) | Young talent who helps control the game. |
| LM | Diego Gómez | Inter Miami (USA) | Plays with Messi at club – what a teammate matchup! |
| FW | Julio Enciso | Brighton (England) | Tricky dribbler who makes defenders dance. |
| FW | Antonio Sanabria | Torino (Italy) | Bicycle kick hero – that goal was epic! |
Coach: Gustavo Alfaro (He’s Argentine but loves making Paraguay strong!)
Substitutes who came on: Some players like Mathías Villasanti added energy later.
Argentina National Football Team Lineup (Formation: 4-3-3 – Four defenders, three midfielders, three attackers)
Argentina attacked a lot, like a swarm of bees going for the honey!
| Position | Player Name | Club (Where They Play Normally) | Fun Fact for Kids |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Emiliano Martínez | Aston Villa (England) | Penalty saver king – dances to distract shooters! |
| RB | Nahuel Molina | Atlético Madrid (Spain) | Loves running forward to help attack. |
| CB | Cristian Romero | Tottenham (England) | Tough tackler – nickname “Cuti” means cute but he’s fierce! |
| CB | Nicolás Otamendi | Benfica (Portugal) | Veteran leader – been playing forever! |
| LB | Nicolás Tagliafico | Lyon (France) | Energetic left back who never stops. |
| CM | Rodrigo De Paul | Atlético Madrid (Spain) | Messi’s best buddy – passes like a laser. |
| CM | Enzo Fernández | Chelsea (England) | Young star who controls the game rhythm. |
| CM | Alexis Mac Allister | Liverpool (England) | Smart passer – his dad was a player too! |
| RW | Lionel Messi (Captain) | Inter Miami (USA) | The GOAT! Dribbles past everyone like magic. |
| ST | Lautaro Martínez | Inter (Italy) | Goal machine – scored Argentina’s only goal. |
| LW | Julián Álvarez | Atlético Madrid (Spain) | Speedy spider (nickname Araña) who webs goals! |
Coach: Lionel Scaloni (He led them to World Cup glory!)
Substitutes: Players like Giovani Lo Celso came on to try and change the game.
See how many players play in Europe? That’s because they’re superstars in big leagues like the Premier League and La Liga.
Why These Lineups Matter: Tactics and Strategies Explained Simply
Coaches pick lineups based on who’s fit, who’s in form, and how to beat the opponent. Paraguay used a 4-4-2 to pack the middle and counter-attack fast – like hiding and then surprising! They had Diego Gómez (Messi’s Inter Miami buddy) up high to create chaos.
Argentina went 4-3-3 to dominate with Messi, Álvarez, and Lautaro up front. It’s like having three shooters in basketball! But Paraguay’s defense was rocky solid, and their home crowd cheered like crazy.
Injuries played a part too: Argentina missed some defenders like Lisandro Martínez, so they had to adjust.
Key Players to Watch: Heroes on the Pitch
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): At 37, he’s still unstoppable. He didn’t score this time, but his passes are like gifts!
- Miguel Almirón (Paraguay): Fast as lightning, he plays in England and makes exciting runs.
- Antonio Sanabria (Paraguay): That bicycle kick? Kids, try it in your backyard (safely!).
- Emiliano Martínez (Argentina): His saves keep dreams alive.
Fun rivalry note: Messi faced his club teammate Diego Gómez – imagine playing against your friend in a big game!
Head-to-Head History: Who’s Won More?
These teams have played over 100 times! Argentina usually wins, but Paraguay has surprises. Recent games: Lots of low scores, like 0-0 or 1-0. The 2-1 win for Paraguay was huge – their first over Argentina in years!
In qualifiers, every point counts. Top 6 teams go straight to the World Cup, 7th plays extra games. After this match, Argentina stayed top, Paraguay climbed to 6th.
What Happened in the Game? Quick Highlights for Everyone
The match started fast! Lautaro scored early (but needed VAR to confirm – that’s video replay, like a referee’s helper). Then Sanabria’s bicycle kick tied it – crowd went wild! In the second half, Alderete headed the winner. Argentina pushed hard, but Paraguay held on. Final: Paraguay 2-1 Argentina. What a story!
Why Everyone Should Care About These Teams
Soccer brings people together! Paraguay shows that underdogs can win with heart. Argentina proves champions stay hungry. For kids: Dream big – maybe you’ll play for your country one day!
As qualifiers continue into 2025, more epic battles await. Paraguay qualified directly, along with Argentina, Brazil, and others. Who will shine next?
