A stunning bicycle kick from Antonio Sanabria and a second-half header from Omar Alderete gave Paraguay a well-deserved 2-1 home win over Argentina in the South American World Cup qualifiers on Thursday.

Argentina took the lead after eleven minutes of play through Lautaro Martinez, but Paraguay soon leveled after Gustavo Velazquez’s cross found Eduardo Sanabria, who unleashed a brilliant bicycle kick that left goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez helpless.

The shell-shocked visitors struggled to find their feet and two minutes after half-time, Paraguay defender Alderete headed in from a free-kick after substitute Leonardo Balerdi’s foul on Julio Enciso.

World Cup champions Argentina top the standings with 22 points from 11 games, while Paraguay moved to sixth, level on 16 points with Uruguay, who play on Friday.

The top six are guaranteed a place in the 2026 final.