Watch Highlights: Lionel Messi makes return as Argentina beat Paraguay in World Cup qualifier

Nicolás Otamendi scored in just the third minute, second half sub Lionel Messi struck the post twice as Argentina topped Paraguay 1-0 in South American World Cup qualifying on Thursday night.

Otamendi volleyed a corner kick by Rodrigo De Paul into the Paraguayan net and Emiliano Martinez was hardly troubled in goal and managed to keep a clean sheet.

36-year-old Messi started on the bench but took the pitch in the 53rd minute and struck the woodwork twice - once off a corner and once off a free kick in extra time.

The World Cup winners are still unbeaten in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and will face Peru next, on 17 October.

The next World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada is expanding to a 48-team format, meaning direct entry to the top six teams in South America. The seventh-place team will contest an intercontinental playoff for a berth.

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