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Argentina win their seventh consecutive game since their triumph in Qatar.
Aston Villa shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez has set a new national team record with Argentina’s victory over Paraguay in the CONMEBOL qualifiers.
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi could only start from the bench but put up a magnificent performance when he came on. Still, a 3rd-minute strike from Benfica’s Otamendi sealed a 1-0 victory for the Albiceleste.
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18:30 - 12.10.2023
Finland goalkeeper picks Super Eagles star ahead of Messi and Ronaldo
Messi and Ronaldo are regarded as the two greatest players of all time, but Hradecky believes they are not as good as a particular Super Eagles star.
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23:30 - 10.10.2023
Ballon d'Or: Mbappe or Haaland deserves the award not Messi — Juventus star
France international Adrien Rabiot claims Lionel Messi does not deserve the Ballon d'Or over his compatriot Kylian Mbappe or treble winner Erling Haaland.
Emi Martinez sets Argentine record
Argentina’s victory over Paraguay is their 11th straight victory since the defeat to Saudi Arabia at the start of the World Cup. Although they owe a lot of this success to Lionel Messi and his devastating offensive input, the effort of their sturdy defence cannot be overstated, and Martinez is chiefly responsible.
Since making the famous outstretched-leg save to prevent Kolo Muani from handing France a late winner at the World Cup—heroics he carried into the shootouts to ensure the Albiceleste lifted their third Mundial—Martinez has kept seven consecutive clean sheets in goal for Argentina.
By going over 609 minutes unbreached, the former Arsenal man has now set a national team record for the longest duration recorded without conceding a goal for the South American nation.
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Messi’s unlucky night
Although uncharacteristically coming on as a substitute, the Inter Miami forward came agonisingly close to improving his current 104 goals for Argentina.
Messi has struggled with injuries since the last international break, and the enforced time off prevented his team, Inter Miami, from making the MLS playoff. The 27-year-old is, however, returning to fitness, and as he did in the 1-0 defeat against Cincinnati, coming in before the hour mark, Messi was brought on in the 53rd minute against Paraguay in place of Julian Alvarez.
He failed to find the back of the net, but Messi crashed the bar twice, once from a free-kick, and the other from a corner-kick attempt.
Argentina will return to CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier action in five days, when they travel to Peru, and the captain of the side will be expected to be fit enough to start.
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