Miguel Almiron and teammates shock Lionel Messi and world number one team | OneFootball

This was no fluke, as Miguel Almiron and Paraguay deservedly won their latest South American World Cup group qualifier.

When Martinez put Argentina ahead after only 11 minutes it looked like a long night in prospect for the home side.

However, Paraguay came back at them and a brilliant Sanabria overhead kick levelled things on 19 minutes, then a headed winner from a free-kick by Alderete won it, two minutes after the break. After that opening goal, Paraguay didn’t allow Argentina another shot on target in the entire match.

Miguel Almiron was his usual energetic self for Paraguay and put in a great shift, eventually subbed off in the 90th minute as Paraguay ran the clock down.

The Sportsdunia site covered the match and Miguel Almiron was their fourth highest rated Paraguay player, they said about his performance ‘A good outing for the winger who has been out of form for Newcastle. Created chances and took shots while making 8 recoveries.’

Paraguay have now moved up to 55th in the FIFA rankings but to defeat the top ranked World Cup winners is massive.

As it is for their chances of qualifying for those 2026 World Cup finals in Mexico, USA and Canada.

Paraguay picked up only five points in their opening six World Cup qualifying group matches and only scored once in their first seven group matches.

Now they are undefeated in their last five, have picked up 11 points in these matches, as well as scoring five goals in their last four games.

Their last three home matches have seen Paraguay beat Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina.

A big game awaits on Tuesday, when Miguel Almiron and Paraguay travel to play third bottom of the table Bolivia, a win would surely all but ensure eventual qualification to the finals. The same with Brazil if they can win at home to Uruguay on Tuesday (the top six in the group automatically qualify and the seventh goes into a play-off, each team plays 18 matches in this group).

This is how the South American World Cup qualifying table looks on Friday (15 November 2024) morning.

This is the November 2024 international schedule for Newcastle United players:

Thursday 14 November

Greece 0 England 3

Anthony Gordon was one of eight changes, some due to the ‘injury’ desertions from the squad, some not. Harry Kane dropped and England looking all the better for it, as his replacement Ollie Watkins scored after only seven minutes in a flowing move.

United keeper Vlachodimos was probably Greece’s best player with some good saves and was very unlucky when Bellingham’s shot hit the post and rebounded off the keeper into the net. England though fully deserving of their eventual 3-0 winning margin, Jones scoring a sublime backheel flick for the third. Tino Livramento was an unused sub but Lewis Hall made his first England appearance, playing the second half and looking very good, the team looking far better balanced with him on the left. Everybody played well really, including Anthony Gordon, he played until 66 minutes in when Carsley made three attacking changes.

Belgium 0 Italy 1

Sandro Tonali man of the match and scoring the winning goal!

An excellent performance from the Newcastle midfielder as Italy deservedly won this Nations League group match. Sandro Tonali playing the full game.

Venezuela 1 Brazil 1

Bruno Guimaraes couldn’t quite drag Brazil over the line in this South American World Cup group qualifier.

Brazil dominated the first half with the Newcastle midfielder at the heart of much of their best play, however, the attacking players once again let them down. Chance after chance went begging until Raphinha scored an excellent free-kick in the 43rd minute.

One up at half-time but it should have been two or three, Brazil paying for it when Segovia equalised just a minute after the break. Bruno Guimaraes subbed in the 82nd minute and can be more than happy with his own personal contribution but this is a match that Brazil should have won.

Paraguay 2 Argentina 1

This was no fluke, as Miguel Almiron and Paraguay deservedly won their latest South American World Cup group qualifier.

When Martinez put Argentina ahead after only 11 minutes it looked like a long night in prospect for the home side.

However, Paraguay came back at them and a brilliant Sanabria overhead kick levelled things on 19 minutes, then a headed winner from a free-kick by Alderete won it, two minutes after the break. After that opening goal, Paraguay didn’t allow Argentina another shot on target in the entire match.

Miguel Almiron was his usual energetic self for Paraguay and put in a great shift, eventually subbed off in the 90th minute as Paraguay ran the clock down.

Saturday 16 November

Sweden v Slovakia (Alexander Isak, Martin Dubravka) Nations League

Sunday 17 November

England v Republic of Ireland (Lewis Hall, Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento) Nations League

Finland v Greece (Odysseas Vlachodimos) Nations League

Italy v France (Sandro Tonali) Nations League

Tuesday 19 November

Sweden v Azerbaijan (Alexander Isak) Nations League

Bolivia v Paraguay (Miguel Almiron) World Cup group qualifier

Brazil v Uruguay (Bruno Guimaraes) World Cup group qualifier