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Copa America champions Argentina were held to a 0-0 draw by Paraguay on Thursday as the Albiceleste failed to make their domination count.
Paraguay kept Lionel Messi quiet in a goalless draw in Asuncion.
A lively start 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.
Correa got beyond Paraguay’s defence twice more, both times from Messi passes, but was flagged offside the first time and needlessly tried to square the ball to Angel Di Maria the second time, allowing a defender to clear.
There was a similarly brisk start to the second half as Correa somehow failed to convert Rodrigo De Paul’s cross to the back post. At the other end, Martinez blocked Miguel Almiron’s shot from a tight angle after the Newcastle United forward’s mazy run.
Argentina looked set to take the lead on the hour mark when Di Maria’s deep cross found the unmarked Correa but incredibly Mathias Villasanti got back to deflect his free header behind with his knee.
Carlos Gonzalez should have won it two minutes from time for Paraguay but skied his shot from 12 yards out.
“We just lacked a goal from our clear chances. Paraguay had us in difficulty a few times but we dominated,” moaned Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.
Brazil cruise past Venezuela
Gabriel Barbosa’s penalty five minutes from time maintained Brazil’s perfect start to South American World Cup qualifying with a come from behind 3-1 win over Venezuela on Thursday.
It was a ninth win from nine for the Selecao and extended their lead in the single South American qualifying group to eight points over unbeaten Argentina, who drew 0-0 in Paraguay.
Eric Ramirez’s early goal gave Venezuela a shock lead in Caracas but Marquinhos equalized with a header before Barbosa’s late penalty.
Substitute Antony rubbed salt into unlucky Venezuela’s wounds five minutes into injury time to leave the hosts rooted to the bottom of the table.
“It was a tough game, we started off well below our level,” admitted Marquinhos.
“It was our second half performance that got us the positive result we wanted.”
Leeds United’s Raphinha rounded off an impressive debut with a second assist for Antony to tap home from six yards with almost the last kick of the match.
