Lionel Messi was unlucky in Argentina’s win over Paraguay in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers when the wooden frame twice denied him a goal.

Messi seemed to be celebrating when he came off the bench in the second half. In the 52nd minute, the Inter Miami striker replaced Julian Alvarez and immediately made an impact by increasing the pressure on the Paraguayan defense.

In the 76th minute, Messi took a corner kick, creating a curve that eliminated both the goalkeeper and the opponent’s defender, but the ball hit the crossbar and bounced out.

After this opportunity passed, fans at Monumental Stadium had to cry out in regret when they saw Messi once again bring the ball to the wooden goal, this time from a direct free kick.

During extra time, Messi was fouled in front of the penalty area and he took the free kick right in front of the goal. However, even though goalkeeper Carlos Coronel was completely motionless, the ball from La Pulga hit the post and flew out.

Twice the wooden goal was denied, Messi had a positive performance in 42 minutes on the field (including overtime) after muscle problems that lasted for the past month.

Before that, midfielder Nicolas Otamendi scored the only goal for Argentina with a beautiful volley from a corner kick.

In this match, coach Lionel Scaloni arranged two “number 9s”, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez, to play together when Messi was on the bench and Angel Di Maria was absent due to injury.