AFP, Montevideo :
Paraguay kept Lionel Messi quiet in a goalless draw against Argentina on Thursday in the South American World Cup qualifiers. The point maintained Argentina’s unbeaten run in qualifying and solidified their second place in the single qualifying table behind runaway leaders Brazil, who were playing Venezuela later. Uruguay remained third after a scoreless draw with Colombia in Montevideo.
A lively start in Asuncion saw chances at both ends but Argentina’s Joaquin Correa should have done better when put clean through on goal, only for a heavy touch to allow goalkeeper Antony Silva to smother the danger. Argentina stopper Emiliano Martinez then made a full stretch save to tip Santiago Arzamendi’s piledriver from distance around the post.
