Argentina slumped to a humiliating defeat on home turf last night, losing 1-0 to Paraguay at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in a crucial World Cup qualifier.

La Albiceleste, playing in the tenth round of the Russia 2018 World Cup South American qualifiers, fell behind to a strike in the first half and despite being awarded a penalty just after the second half kicked off, the team’s misfiring stars failed to find the back of the net.

It was a huge win for Paraguay, which played on the counter-attack effectively to defeat Argentina.

Derlis González’s first-half goal eventually proved the difference, though captain Justo Villar pulled off second-half heroics by stretching full length to save a poor Sergio Agüero penalty. Argentina, missing injured captain Lionel Messi, missed several chances and the team was booed as it left the pitch.

The result extends the poor start under coach Edgardo Bauza, who has registered only one win in four matches.

The match started with some patient build-up by both sides. Argentina put on the pressure to control play but it was surprised early by Paraguay.

Derlis González scored in the 17th minute to stun the home crowd with an excellent counter-attack goal. González powered in from the right flank before striking past Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero.

A few minutes later, Argentina was close to equalizing when Ángel di María hit the post with a left-footed shot from the edge of the Paraguayan box after the visitors lost possession of the ball in their own half.

Then, when Argentina seemed to have woken up after falling behind, Marcos Rojo got on the end of a cross from the right, but put his shot over the Paraguayan crossbar.

Limited Paraguay managed to create more danger than Argentina, especially in the counter-attack. Romero was forced into a good save by Oscar Romero, who drove a powerful shot towards goal.

Argentina was awarded a penalty two minutes into the second half for a hand ball by Paraguay’s Paulo Da Silva but nothing changed in the score as Manchester City striker Sergio Agüero saw his spot-kick well saved by Villar.

Agüero had another chance a few minutes later but his effort was also well saved by Villar.

Argentina went fiercely into attack and was close to scoring. The ball crossed the goal line when Di María shot a free-kick from the left, but the goal was disallowed when referee Daniel Fedorczuk blew it down for a foul in the visitors’ box.

Bauza tried to order the team with a first substitution when Paulo Dybala replaced Nicolás Gaitán in the 58th and then when Lucas Pratto came in replacement of Ever Banega in the 69th.

Gonzalo Higuaín had another scoring chance but the Juventus striker failed to connect with Di María’s fine cross across the face of Paraguay’s goal to increase Argentina’s frustation. Paraguay, then built a tough defence just to keep the difference and earn a key away victory.

In the other matches, Uruguay looked to be on their way to gaining three significant points in Barranquilla when Luis Suárez scored with 17 minutes to go, but Yerry Mina had other plans and his impressive header from a Juan Cuadrado cross earned the host a point after a 2-2 draw.

Colombia‘s Abel Aguilar opened the scoring in the 15th minute and Cristian Rodríguez equalized in the 27th.

In the second half, Suárez found space on the right side of Colombia’s penalty area and faced with a one-on-one with David Ospina. Suárez showed his world-class ability to score and put Uruguay close to a big away win. However, Mina headed in the equalizer.

In La Paz, Bolivia drew with Ecuador 2-2. Pablo Escobar put Bolivia two goals up at the break in the fourth and 43rd minutes, but on-loan Everton man Enner Valencia earned Ecuador a point with a second-half brace in the 48th and 89th minutes.

Chile beat Peru 2-1 in Santiago with Arturo Vidal scoring the winner with five minutes to go. Vidal also scored the first in the 10th while Peru’s Edison Flores equalized in the 76th.

Venezuela was facing Brazil at press time in the closing match of the 10th round of the South American qualifiers.