Match story
- Argentina fired more attempts (15 vs 6 shots).
- Argentina held more of the ball (68% possession).
Argentina and Paraguay drew 1-1 in the World Cup - Qualification South America. The fixture is part of the Group Stage - 3 stage in the 2022 season. The match was played at Estadio Alberto José Armando in Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Raphael Claus officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Argentina vs Paraguay meeting in World Cup - Qualification South America with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Argentina and Paraguay. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
World Cup - Qualification South AmericaRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Argentina
The USMNT confirmed their first friendlies since the 2026 World Cup, and Christian Pulisic now knows his rivals for the FIFA window. Christian Pulisic and the United States men’s national team now know exactly who stands between them and their first response to a disappointing home World Cup. US Soccer confirmed that the USMNT will play four friendlies during the merged September-October FIFA window: Peru on September 26 at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando, Chile on September 29 at Energizer Park in St. Louis, Mexico on October 3 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, and Canada on October 6 at Allianz Field in St. Paul. These will be the USMNT‘s first matches since their 2026 World Cup run ended in the Round of 16, where the U.S. fell 1-4 to Belgium. Much was expected of Pulisic, whose own tournament was hampered by injury throughout. He was electric in the opener against Paraguay, picking up an assist, before a calf knock forced him off at halftime, and while he returned for the following matches, his form dipped noticeably by the time the U.S. faced Bosnia and Herzegovina and Belgium — a drop-off later explained by a bone bruise and microfracture he was playing through. A FOUR-MATCH WINDOW IS SET FOR THIS FALL!🇺🇸🆚🇵🇪 – 9/26 in Orlando, FL🇺🇸🆚🇨🇱 – 9/29 in St. Louis, MO🇺🇸🆚🇲🇽 – 10/3 in Glendale, AZ🇺🇸🆚🇨🇦 – 10/6 in St. Paul, MN🔗 https://t.co/SVoF4Ixmch pic.twitter.com/RwqDMqC4O8— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) August 4, 2026 Pochettino locked in through 2030 These friendlies also double as the first fixtures of a newly extended era. Despite the underwhelming World Cup exit on home soil, Mauricio Pochettino agreed to a new USMNT contract that runs through the 2030 World Cup, a deal U.S. Soccer framed as a long-term bet on continuity rather than a reaction to a single tournament. “Working together with U.S. Soccer over the past two years, it has become clear to us that there is tremendous potential to make the Men’s National Team program even stronger,” Pochettino said. He also pointed to ambitions beyond results on the field, saying the goal is to have a lasting impact on the sport in the country that has welcomed him so warmly. US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone backed the extension, pointing to Pochettino’s experience as a boost not just for the senior team but for the broader player development pipeline, and citing the long tenures of coaches like Lionel Scaloni and Didier Deschamps as models for sustained success across multiple World Cup cycles.
After turning into Spain's hero in the 2026 World Cup final, Ferran Torres casted doubts on his future at FC Barcelona, while coach Hansi Flick weighed the possibility of playing Lamine Yamal in a false-nine role. Ferran Torres became a national hero this summer after scoring the winning goal for Spain in the 2026 World Cup final against Argentina, but his future at the club level remains far from settled. With the forward publicly questioning his continuity at Barcelona, head coach Hansi Flick is weighing the possibility of deploying teenage star Lamine Yamal in a false-nine role during the 2026–27 campaign. As Barcelona‘s preseason preparations continue, veteran striker Robert Lewandowski departed the club as a free agent to join Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire, while transfer negotiations for River Plate standout Julián Álvarez have stalled. For now, Torres stands as the roster’s only proven central striker, making his potential departure an urgent dilemma for the front office. In an interview with sports business outlet Sportico, Torres addressed swirling transfer reports linking him to Paris Saint-Germain, refusing to rule out an exit: “It’s always good when these teams want you. It’s good, but in the end I have a contract with Barcelona. It’s true that in soccer you never know what’s going to happen, but the good part is the fact that, since I have a contract, I can wait and decide on my own account.“ When asked what the Blaugrana would need to do to secure his long-term commitment, Torres was direct. “Barca has to show that they want me. They can come to negotiate and, in the end, everything will be discussed,” the former Manchester City forward stated. 🔵🔴El medio Sportico pregunta a Ferran Torres sobre qué tiene que hacer el Barça para retenerle: "Mostrar que me quieren, que vengan a negociar y al final todo es hablar"‼️Sobre el PSG: "Que te quieran en estos equipos es bueno. Yo tengo contrato con el Barcelona. Es verdad… pic.twitter.com/h3y87rfxVH— Diario SPORT (@sport) August 3, 2026 Torres’ current contract at Barcelona expires at the end of the 2026–27 season in June, meaning the club must either agree to an extension or facilitate a transfer to avoid losing him as an uncompensated free agent. Following his World Cup heroics with Spain, the 26-year-old forward has yet to report to preseason camp, taking extended leave before rejoining the squad on Aug. 12. While PSG’s interest continues to build, a formal opening bid has yet to materialize. However, according to a report from Diario Sport, Barcelona is seeking at least €55 million (roughly $63 million USD) to sanction a transfer, a figure that would allow the club to recoup its initial investment when signing him from Manchester City. Yamal to cover the central striker role? With many international stars still away on mandatory post-World Cup leave, Flick finds himself severely short on options through the middle. While Barcelona boasts depth along the wings, the German manager addressed the squad’s tactical flexibility as preparations ramp up. Speaking to reporters outside St. James’ Park during the team’s English tour, Flick was asked whether utilizing Lamine Yamal as a central false nine was under consideration: “Lamine has already played (there) in one of two games with us. I think he’s a fantastic player, a world-class player so he can also adapt to this. But at the end, the focus is more as a seven (down the wing), but we’ll see what happens.“ During the 2025-26 season, Yamal earned two starts in a central false-nine capacity, featuring against CD Guadalajara and Real Betis in December. In both instances, the teenager operated out of the central channel while orchestrating play behind Marcus Rashford or Torres as the focal point up front. While noting that summer additions Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi “can both feature as a No. 9,” Flick acknowledged that tactical adjustments will depend heavily on transfer developments. “Ultimately, it comes down t
Maresca says there are “no updates yet” on Rulli or Trafford as both deals remain in progressBoth Trafford and Rulli remain registered to their current clubs, per the Man City bossMaresca says the...
After the 2026 World Cup final, the AFA is reportedly plotting Lionel Messi's Argentina homecoming for the upcoming XL international break. Lionel Messi‘s international future remains a subject of intense speculation following Argentina‘s agonizing defeat in the 2026 World Cup final, but an immediate retirement appears off the table. As national teams begin preparations for the fall international window, reports indicate that the legend is set to return to action on home soil. The expanded 2026 World Cup forced domestic leagues to adjust their start dates, creating a ripple effect across the global soccer calendar that also reshaped international fixtures. To ease player workload, FIFA introduced a consolidated, extended international window running from September 21 through October 6, allowing European teams to play four Nations League matches while other confederations can schedule up to three international friendlies. Under this new calendar format, Argentine news outlet Infobae reports that the Argentina Football Association (AFA) is working to organize three exhibition matches during the extended fall window. Plans call for two matches in China before concluding with a homecoming match in Argentina, tentatively set for October 1. The AFA’s primary objective is bringing Messi back to domestic soil for a emotional reunion with supporters in the wake of the World Cup. The Argentine captain opted not to join the squad’s initial return flight to Buenos Aires, and while his availability for the Asian leg of the tour remains unconfirmed, bringing him face-to-face with home fans remains the federation’s top priority. Lionel Messi’s Instagram post. (@leomessi) For the lone domestic fixture, the AFA hopes to stage the match in the capital city of Buenos Aires. While an opponent has not been finalized, federation officials are reportedly targeting an opponent from CONMEBOL or CONCACAF. Meanwhile, China remains the primary destination for the team’s fixtures abroad. According to Infobae, host nation China is slated as one of the friendly opponents, and while discussions between the two federations are ongoing, no formal agreement has been signed. Two foundational futures remain uncertain for Argentina The upcoming window marks the start of a brand new international cycle as federations begin long-term planning for the 2030 World Cup. For Argentina, however, that rebuilding process remains on hold as two defining pillars of the program evaluate their futures. Chief among them is the 39-year-old Messi, whose decision to travel independently to his hometown of Rosario (rather than joining the team flight to Buenos Aires for the public welcome ceremony) raised eyebrows across the country. Messi’s last interaction with supporters came on the pitch immediately following the World Cup final, where an appreciative crowd cheered the squad as the tearful captain could only stare at them in what may prove to be one of his final appearances in an Albiceleste shirt. The other major question mark centers on head coach Lionel Scaloni, who also broke down in tears during a brief, emotional postgame press conference following the final. Scaloni’s current contract runs through December 2026, and while the AFA remains eager for him to spearhead the 2030 cycle, his long-term commitment remains uncertain, a factor that could heavily influence Messi’s decision on whether to continue playing internationally.
Barco a left-back who can also play in midfieldPlayer had spell at Brighton before move to FranceChelsea have signed the Argentina international Valentín Barco from their sister club Strasbourg on a seven-year deal.The 22-year-old, who played seven times for Brighton including six Premier League appearances during the 2023-24 season, becomes the eighth arrival of new manager Xabi Alonso’s reign. Continue reading...
Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos explained how Lionel Messi was able to return to the MLS in less than two weeks from the 2026 World Cup final. Lionel Messi has officially returned to the pitch for Inter Miami following Argentina’s run to the 2026 World Cup final. Less than two weeks after squaring off against Spain, head coach Guillermo Hoyos shed light on the driving forces behind the superstar’s MLS rapid turn-around. Following the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, Messi took a brief vacation before reporting back to Inter Miami’s Fort Lauderdale training facility on Wednesday. With only a couple of team sessions under his belt, the legendary forward suited up to aid the Herons in their ongoing quest for MLS hardware. On Saturday, Aug. 1, Inter Miami hosted the Columbus Crew. Rather than watching from a luxury box as originally expected, Messi was named to the matchday squad as a substitute. The captain entered in the 53rd minute and made an immediate impact, firing four shots (one on target), though the Herons ultimately settled for a 2-2 draw after Columbus midfielder Brais Mendez scored an 84th-minute equalizer. In his postgame press conference, Hoyos praised the dedication of his squad, singling out international stars Messi and Rodrigo De Paul: “I want to thank all the players for the effort they put in. I especially want to thank Leo and Rodri for traveling and showing up so soon after the World Cup. That was very important. This is a difficult, competitive league. We were winning in the 86th minute and wanted three points, but ended up with one. The game escaped us in the final minutes.“ Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF controls the ball against the Columbus Crew. Hoyos on what drove Messi’s accelerated return Despite turning 39 during the 2026 World Cup, Messi defied expectations by making his return to competitive play in less than a fortnight. Instead of waiting for the club’s upcoming Leagues Cup debut, the Argentine legend insisted on getting match minutes under his belt against Columbus. When asked how Messi managed to stay fit and return so quickly, Hoyos offered a simple explanation: “Love for the game. The feeling towards a team as well. He is a football player, and when we are football players, we never leave football behind. Today I am a manager, but I will never stop being a football player. It is a very strong feeling.“ Hoyos’ sentiment aligns with Messi’s actions during his abbreviated time off. While resting in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, the star was spotted supporting Leones FC (the fourth-division club presided over by his brother, Matias) proving that even during his downtime, soccer remains front and center. Inter Miami now shifts its focus to the 2026 Leagues Cup, opening tournament play against Mexican side Atletico San Luis on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Nu Stadium. Following his cameo against the Crew, Messi’s participation is all but guaranteed.
Juan Cuadrado confirmed interest from an MLS team, leading many to wonder whether he could end up as Lionel Messi's teammate at Inter Miami. Juan Cuadrado finds himself without a club after his one-year stint at Pisa in Italy’s Serie A came to an end on June 30, and Lionel Messi‘s Inter Miami have emerged as a possible suitor for the Colombian, after he confirmed he received an offer from MLS. Besides MLS, the 37-year-old player revealed in an interview with DSports that he also has offers from Mexico and a club in Europe. “There are offers from the United States, from Mexico, and one from Europe that isn’t confirmed yet, but there are talks… Right now I’m waiting on proposals, but for the moment I’m not ruling out the FPC (Professional Colombian Football),” Cuadrado revealed. While Cuadrado hasn’t revealed any of the clubs that have shown interest in him, Inter Miami could easily be one of the MLS sides in the mix for several reasons. The Colombian is currently a free agent, which would make any move straightforward from a contractual standpoint. Since he wouldn’t need to be signed as a Designated Player, the Herons wouldn’t have to touch their salary cap structure to fit him in — a detail that matters given how tightly Miami already manage their DP slots around Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and German Berterame. German Berterame celebrates a goal with Lionel Messi. (Getty Images) There’s also a clear on-field need he could fill. Facundo Mura, the Argentine right back Inter Miami signed as a free agent from Racing Club, has yet to find the level he showed during his time in Argentina. Cuadrado, who can also operate as a right-sided midfielder, would give Hoyos both direct competition for that spot and extra depth on the right flank, something the squad could use as the fixture list piles up. Cuadrado brings a wealth of experience Then there’s the experience factor. Cuadrado cuenta con muchos partidos con una alta carga de presión, having played in a Champions League final. There, he came on as a substitute for Juventus in the 2016-17 decider against Real Madrid, where they lost 1-4 in Cardiff. On the international stage, he featured for Colombia at two World Cups, 2014 and 2018, and across five editions of the Copa America, helping the team to third-place finishes in 2016 and 2021 over more than 110 caps for La Tricolor. None of that guarantees a move to Fort Lauderdale, but between the financial fit, the positional need, and the pedigree he’d bring to the dressing room, Inter Miami have plenty of reasons to keep an eye on Cuadrado’s situation as he weighs his options between MLS, Mexico, Europe and Colombia.
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