<br><div><aside class="gnt_em gnt_em__fp gnt_em_vp__tp gnt_em__el" aria-label="Video - Can these Lionel Messi fans answer Messi-based trivia questions?"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2023/10/09/watch-messi-docum" data-t-l=":b|e|k|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a" rel="noopener">Lionel Messi</a> rejoins Argentina this week for a pair of 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The first <a target="_blank" href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2023/10/12/lionel-messi-argentina-paraguay-world-cup-qualifier-stream-tv/71146001007/" data-t-l=":b|e|k|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a" rel="noopener">match kicks off Thursday night</a> against Paraguay at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Will Messi even play?</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Maybe.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Messi returned to the pitch for Inter Miami on Saturday for a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2023/10/07/inter-miami-vs-fc-cincinnati-messi-live-score-highlights/71090289007/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|k|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">1-0 loss to MLS Supporters' Shield winner FC Cincinnati</a>. The result eliminated Miami from playoff contention. Messi subbed on in the 55th minute for Tomás Avilés. Prior to that, Messi had missed multiple Inter Miami matches due to an old injury flaring up.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni told reporters Wednesday he would talk to Messi ahead of the Paraguay match to see if he was comfortable playing. The team's second qualifier is Tuesday in Lima against Peru.</p><aside aria-label="advertisement" class="gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">"I have to talk to him first and above all I have to be sure that he can start,” Scaloni told reporters.</p><h2 class="gnt_ar_b_h2"><a target="_blank" id="gpd-1697157123888" class="gnt_ar_b_ba" rel="noopener"> Substitutions for Paraguay</h2><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Antonio Sanabria replaces Adam Bareiro and Braian Ojeda comes into the game for Álvaro Campuzano (71').</p><aside aria-label="advertisement" class="gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al"/><h2 class="gnt_ar_b_h2"><a target="_blank" id="gpd-1697157122320" class="gnt_ar_b_ba" rel="noopener"> Corner kicks for Argentina</h2><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Argentina tries two corners but neither yield a solid shot on goal (67').</p><h2 class="gnt_ar_b_h2"><a target="_blank" id="gpd-1697155898992" class="gnt_ar_b_ba" rel="noopener"> Messi enters the game</h2><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Messi has substituted in for Argentina for Julián Álvarez (53').</p><aside class="gnt_em gnt_em_tw" data-g-r="lazy" data-gl-method="loadTwitter" aria-label="X Embed" data-v-id="1712622444702237129"/><h2 class="gnt_ar_b_h2"><a target="_blank" id="gpd-1697155827830" class="gnt_ar_b_ba" rel="noopener"> Paraguay shot attempt wide left of goal</h2><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Paraguay's Ramón Sosa sprinted down the right side of the box and fired a shot towards the Argentina goal but it sails left of goal (51').</p><h2 class="gnt_ar_b_h2"><a target="_blank" id="gpd-1697155734578" class="gnt_ar_b_ba" rel="noopener"> Another yellow for Paraguay</h2><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Paraguay's Adam Bareiro is shown the yellow for a rough foul on Argentina's Cristian Romero (50').</p><aside class="gnt_em gnt_em_anc" id="gnt_atomsnc" data-g-r="lazy" data-gl-method="loadAnc" aria-label="Newsletter signup form"/><h2 class="gnt_ar_b_h2"><a target="_blank" id="gpd-1697154502522" class="gnt_ar_b_ba" rel="noopener"> Halftime: Argentina up...</h2></div> <style> .wrapper { text-align: center; } </style> <div class="wrapper"> <a class="button" href ="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2023/10/12/messi-argentina-vs-paraguay-live-updates-score-highlights/71158977007/">Read more <span>➤</span></a> </div>
