In a thrilling encounter on Thursday night, Paraguay delivered a shocking 2-1 defeat to World Cup champions Argentina in the South American World Cup qualifiers. A stunning bicycle kick from Antonio Sanabria and a commanding header by Omar Alderete sealed a historic win for the hosts at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium, leaving Lionel Scaloni's team visibly frustrated.

Argentina, sitting comfortably at the top of the standings, seemed poised for another victory when Lautaro Martinez scored an early goal in the 11th minute. The striker capitalized on a well-executed build-up, slotting the ball past Paraguay's goalkeeper Carlos Coronel to give the visitors an early lead. However, what followed was a remarkable display of resilience and flair by Paraguay.

Just minutes later, Gustavo Velazquez delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, finding Antonio Sanabria. The Paraguayan forward unleashed a jaw-dropping overhead kick that soared into the net, leaving Emiliano Martinez, one of the world’s top goalkeepers, rooted to his spot. The equalizer electrified the home crowd and set the tone for what was to come.

Paraguay carried their momentum into the second half, exploiting Argentina’s defensive vulnerabilities. Within two minutes of the restart, a free kick awarded after Leonardo Balerdi’s foul on Julio Enciso provided the perfect opportunity for Omar Alderete. Rising above the Argentine defense, Alderete’s towering header found the back of the net, propelling Paraguay into the lead.

Despite Argentina's attempts to regain control, including tactical changes by Scaloni and a series of attacking moves led by Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez, Paraguay’s defense held firm. Carlos Coronel made several crucial saves to deny Argentina a chance to equalize.

The result marked Argentina’s first defeat in the qualifiers, though they remain at the top of the table with 22 points from 11 matches. For Paraguay, the victory was a significant boost, moving them to sixth place with 16 points, level with Uruguay, who play on Friday.

With the top six teams securing a place in the 2026 World Cup, Paraguay’s spirited performance reignites their qualification hopes. For Argentina, this loss serves as a wake-up call, reminding the champions that complacency has no place on the road to the World Cup.