Emiliano Martinez established a new Argentina record with a 1-0 victory against Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier
Emiliano Martinez has set a new Argentina record with his seventh consecutive clean sheet. Martinez went 622 minutes without surrendering a goal as La Albiceleste defeated Paraguay 1-0 in their latest World Cup qualifier.
To say Martinez was put to the test would be an understatement. The Argentine defense was scarcely troubled by a shell-shocked Paraguay, who had only 25% possession in both halves.
Their offensive arsenal fired just four shots on goal, and it took until the second half for Ramon Sosa to register their first shot on goal. Paraguay’s early goal appeared to be a mental obstacle that impacted their play throughout the game.
They were on the back foot for much of the game, and their lack of creativity in the final third was obvious. It’s a disturbing pattern that has followed them recently, as the Paraguayans have failed to score in five of their previous seven games and have only scored four goals in that stretch.
Martinez’s accomplishment occurs against a backdrop of Paraguayan inefficiency, but it does not reduce its significance. Argentina is riding a wave of defensive stability as they negotiate their way through the qualifications, and clean sheets are stunning.
Since Kylian Mbappe’s last-gasp equalizer in the 2022 World Cup final, Martinez has been untouchable.
Argentina wins three points but fails to score
Argentina’s attacking assault against Paraguay had all the hallmarks of a masterpiece except for the goal-scoring barrage that never materialized. La Albiceleste dominated the fight from start to finish, riding on Nicolas Otamendi’s early goal to a 1-0 triumph in Buenos Aires.
While the outcome earned them three crucial points in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, it will leave them wondering why they weren’t able to convert their dominance into more goals. However, Lionel Messi’s post-halftime appearance may have provided the Argentinians with the spark they needed, even the talisman solutions required on the night.
The attackers were frantic, weaving their way past Paraguay’s defense many times. Despite their opportunities, though, the all-important second goal remained out of reach, a frustration exacerbated by the sheer plethora of Argentine attacking qualities on display.
Argentina’s triumph solidifies their supremacy in South American football, but it also highlights their recent struggles in front of goal. Paraguay’s struggles continue as they once again fail to generate anything approximating a formidable offensive display.
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