![\"(Video)](\"https:\/\/firstsportz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Lionel-Messi-confront-referee.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLionel Messi was seen confronting the referee in frustration, following Argentina’s disappointing 2-1 WC qualifier defeat to Paraguay.<\/p>\n
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The fire inside\u00a0Lionel Messi<\/strong>\u00a0has not gone down. The 37-year-old was most recently seen confronting the referees during a shocking 2-1 defeat for Argentina against Paraguay. It marked La Albiceleste\u2019s third qualifying defeat on their road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n The defeat leaves Argentina with 22 points from 11 matches, as they still remain on top of the table. The visitors had taken a lead through\u00a0Lautaro Martinez<\/strong>\u2019s 11th minute goal, but Paraguay struck back soon after.<\/p>\n Antonio Sanabria<\/strong>\u00a0equalized for the home side just eight minutes later through a brilliant overhead kick.\u00a0Omar Alderete<\/strong>\u00a0scored the winner in the 47th minute. However, the match was marred with controversy, with several Argentine players criticizing referee\u00a0Anderson Daronco<\/strong>\u2019s decisions.<\/p>\n Among the critics was skipper\u00a0Lionel Messi, who confronted Daronco after the final whistle. At the end of the first half, he even allegedly went to the extent of labeling Daronco as a \u2018coward\u2019. This was in opposition to a series of contentious decisions by the referee.<\/p>\n Messi had been brought down by rival defenders thrice in the first half, something that went unnoticed by the referee. The referee\u2019s decision to not send off goal-scorer Omar Alderete for two consecutive fouls on the Inter Miami star also left the players frustrated.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"YouTube](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/JzL7ssClTwM\/hqdefault.jpg\")
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