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#3 Lionel Messi kept quite by Balbuena and Co.
Lionel Messi headed into the game having delivered a Man of the Match performance for Barcelona a week ago, scoring twice in the club's 5-2 win over Real Betis. It was expected that the player would put in a similar kind of shift in the national colours, but a solid defensive display from Paraguay's back four and a bit of bad luck prevented him from doing so.
Messi was not very influential in the first half but did up his game in after the break. He linked well with substitutes Lo Celso and Di Maria, and also won a couple of free-kicks in dangerous positions.
In the 60th minute, just as the captain thought he had put his team ahead, his goal was ruled out by VAR. The closest he came to delivering the much-needed match-winner was with his free-kick from 25 yards out rattled the crossbar in the 71st minute.
Paraguay defenders, led by West Ham United centre back Fabián Balbuena, also deserve the credit for not letting the 33-year-old get too close to the goal with the ball at his feet.
#2 Well-deserved draw and point for Paraguay
Though Argentina did not do themselves any favours by being wasteful with possession and displaying lacklustre shooting, Paraguay held their own against their mighty neighbours in the game.
La Albirroja did well to take the lead in the 21st minute through a Ángel Romero penalty after Newcastle United winger Almiron was brought down in the box by Otamendi. They were unlucky to concede from a corner of all things just before the break, but managed to keep the scoreline intact in the second half when Argentina assumed the control of the game.
It was an important point for them as they maintained their unbeaten status in the qualifiers. Paraguay will now head into a relatively easy home fixture against Bolivia with their heads held high.
#1 Crucial calls by the match officials determined the outcome of the game
The match officials were very busy tonight and played a key role in determining the outcome of the game. In the first half, they rightly awarded Paraguay with a penalty after Almiron was fouled by Otamendi, which led to the visitors taking the lead in the 21st minute.
In the second half, they again made the right call to rule out the possibility of a second penalty for Paraguay after it was determined that a cross hit Otamendi on the shirt not on the arm, despite fervent appeals by the visitors.
VAR, however, was involved in a couple of contentious decisions. Questions will likely be asked about why Angel Romero was not shown a straight red card for his challenge on Exequiel Palacios that forced the latter off the pitch.
