Argentina maintained their 100% record in FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Paraguay at the Estadio Monumental on October 13, 2023. Nicolás Otamendi's second-half header from a Lionel Messi corner proved the difference in a match where the world champions were tested by a stubborn Paraguayan defense. Argentina dominated possession from the outset but found clear chances hard to come by against a well-organized and physical Paraguayan side. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 65th minute when Otamendi lost his marker to powerfully nod home Messi's delivery. Paraguay offered little attacking threat throughout, focusing entirely on containment, but their plan was undone by a single moment of quality from a set-piece. The victory extended Argentina's perfect start to three wins from three, solidifying their position at the top of the table. Coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged the difficulty of breaking down such a defensive opponent, praising his team's patience, while Paraguay's manager took pride in his team's disciplined structure despite the narrow loss.