Lionel Messi comes off the bench for Argentina as Nicolas Otamendi's early strike earns La Albiceleste a crucial 1-0 win in World Cup qualifier against Paraguay
- Lionel Messi played in the second half as Argentina earned a close victory
- The Inter Miami forward will soon wrap up his maiden season in MLS
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Lionel Messi came off the bench for Argentina on Thursday as La Albiceleste beat Paraguay 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier.
Messi, whose MLS season will finish next weekend with Inter Miami eliminated from playoff contention, entered the match in the 53rd minute for Julian Alvarez.
Nicolas Otamendi scored the lone goal for the favorites in the third minute.
With the win, Argentina are top of South American qualifying with three wins in as many games.
They will travel to Lima on Tuesday for another qualifier vs. Peru.
![Lionel Messi came on as a substitute to help Argentina beat Paraguay on Thursday night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/13/01/76500873-0-image-a-60_1697157975336.jpg)
Lionel Messi came on as a substitute to help Argentina beat Paraguay on Thursday night
![Messi and Paraguay's Alvaro Campuzano battle on Thursday night during a World Cup qualifier](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/13/02/76500837-12625911-image-a-65_1697159005357.jpg)
Messi and Paraguay's Alvaro Campuzano battle on Thursday night during a World Cup qualifier
![The Inter Miami star started on the bench but entered in the 53rd minute for Julian Alvarez](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/13/02/76500863-12625911-image-a-66_1697159090580.jpg)
The Inter Miami star started on the bench but entered in the 53rd minute for Julian Alvarez
Messi has recently dealt with a muscle injury that forced him to miss four games for Miami.
He returned to the lineup last weekend vs. FC Cincinnati but only played 36 minutes off the bench as his team lost.
The 36-year-old had been linked to a loan move in Saudi Arabia or Barcelona after Miami were eliminated from playoff contention - with MLS' regular season not set to resume until February after it concludes on October 21.
However, Fabrizio Romano poured cold water on those claims on Wednesday, saying Messi has his 'full focus' on Miami and Argentina as he gears up for a relatively busy November.
After the end of the MLS season, Messi is expected to face Uruguay and Brazil in World Cup qualifiers.
And reports have suggested that Miami will travel to China and Japan to play a pair of post-season friendlies as well.
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