Argentina-Paraguay 1-1. Fear of Palacios in hospital

Gonzalez remedies the initial disadvantage signed by Almiron on a penalty. In the second half Messi’s winning goal was canceled. Suspected fracture in the lower back for the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder. Lautaro on the pitch for 83 ‘

One point, few emotions and a fair amount of controversy. At the Bombonera it ends 1-1 between Argentina and Paraguay, a valid challenge for the third day of world qualifiers, but Messi and company remain a bitter taste for a nervous performance marked by tough play and some questionable referee decisions. Above all, the winning goal canceled by Pulce after the intervention of the Var. Then the hard foul by Romero who sent Palacios to hospital and a penalty not granted for a foul on Messi. An evening to forget for the viola Martinez Quarta, responsible for the shot from eleven meters that gave Paraguay the momentary advantage. A lot of effort and little substance for Lautaro Martinez, who gritted his teeth while remaining on the field for 83 ‘despite the ailments.

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Uphill

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Scaloni asked for a sacrifice from Toro, certainly making the Nerazzurri management turn up their noses, yet it was of little use. Few playable balls arrived at the Bahia Blanca center forward and found himself squeezed between the crowded opponents’ shirts, never receiving adequate support from the midfielders. The difficulties in maneuvering and during the construction phase also affected the performance of Messi, who was almost always obliged to seek personal inspiration to try to create openings in the Paraguayan defense. To favor the strategy of the guests, relying on the most classic of bolts, was an unfortunate intervention in the area of ​​the viola Martinez Quarta after just 20 ‘. Freddo Romero in achieving the penalty that transformed the Albiceleste match into a tiring climb. Also because, from then on, Paraguay had no qualms about fighting hard. Palacios knows something about it, victim of a violent knee to the back similar to the one that marked the end of Neymar’s World Cup, hit from behind by Zuniga. The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder has been transported to hospital with a suspected lower back injury that could force him to a long stop.

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Minimum union

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The entry of Lo Celso for Palacios has changed the face of Argentina, but it only served to restore parity thanks to a flicker from Gonzalez’s corner kick, Scaloni’s surprise in the opening eleven. Despite a one-way recovery, with Argentina dominating the pitch and under constant pressure, the result hasn’t changed. Few attempts in the goal area, except for two timid conclusions of Toro replaced in the final by Alario. But the Albiceleste can still complain for an alleged foul in the area on Messi (a dynamic similar to that of the penalty granted in the first half to the opponents) and above all for a goal canceled by the Pulce on signaling of the Var, intervened after more than 30 “ and nine steps to punish an infringement by the Flea in initiation of action. At the end of the game Scaloni did not hide the annoyance for the referees’ decisions, while admitting the opaque performance of Seleccion. “The Var could have intervened dozens of times and did not. I don’t want to talk about bad faith, but that we agree to standardize the judging criteria, otherwise it’s a farce ”, complained the Argentine coach. Now Argentina will fly to Peru for the next challenge of the momentary lead in the standings with 7 points.

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Ecuador ok

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Var also protagonist in La Paz in the match between Bolivia and Ecuador. The control room signals a touch of hand in the area by Jusino when there are two minutes left and the Tricoloro thanks, winning the second success after the 4-2 trimmed against Uruguay. The hosts delude themselves thanks to a paw from Arce after 37 ‘, but Caicedo and Mena overturn the result between 46’ and 55 ‘. Immediate response from the hosts, who recapture the paro in the 60th minute with Moreno Martins after a series of prodigious saves by goalkeeper Lampe. But he gives up when Gruezo’s shot from eleven meters runs out, decisive for the final 3-2 that projects Ecuador to 6 points in the standings.

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