Argentina's Lionel Messi and Brazil's Vinicius Júnior had frustrating nights in South American World Cup qualifying. While Messi could not help his team avoid a 2-1 defeat at Paraguay, Vinicius Junior missed a second-half penalty as Brazil was held to a 1-1 draw at Venezuela on Thursday.

Argentina will remain on the top of the 10-team round robin competition with 22 points in 11 matches. Brazil are provisionally in third place in the standings with 17 points

Lionel Messi returns to action with the Argentine national team Thursday night for a 2026 World Cup qualifying match on the road against Paraguay.

Argentina are set to face Peru this Tuesday in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, but Lionel Messi's team has suffered a significant setback. Two key players have been ruled out due to injury concerns.

Paraguay shocked Argentina 2-1 at Estadio Defensores del Chaco in a riveting FIFA World Cup qualifier. Lautaro Martínez started Argentina's score in the 11th minute; then, in the 19th minute, Paraguayan Antonio Sanabria equalised with an amazing bicycle kick.