—- Brazil suffered their fourth defeat in five World Cup South American qualifying games with a 1-0 loss to Paraguay as Argentina were also beaten, in their case 2-1 by Colombia.

Inter Miami’s Diego Gomez scored the winner for Paraguay in Asuncion after 20 minutes as Brazil failed to register a shot on target in the first half.

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr has scored more than 20 club goals in each of the last three seasons but has only five goals from 35 caps for Brazil and failed to score at the 2022 World Cup.

He said: “I want to apologize to the fans, I know it’s a difficult time but we just want to improve. I know my potential, what I can do for the national team. Of course, it’s been a very complicated process because when you don’t have confidence, you don’t get goals.”

Defeat left the five-time world champions fifth in the qualifying table with only three wins from eight games. Manager Dorival Jr was appointed in January and his side lost in the Copa America quarter-finals in the summer.

Argentina have only lost twice in 18 matches since winning the 2022 World Cup final against France

Former Real Madrid and Everton midfielder James Rodriguez was the hero for Colombia as the 33-year-old scored the winner from the penalty spot to down the reigning world champions, who were without Lionel Messi.

It was revenge for Colombia who lost to Argentina in the Copa America final two months ago.

Rodriguez, now at La Liga side Rayo Vallecano, crossed for Wolves’ Yerson Mosquera to score the opener with a header in the 25th minute in Barranquilla.

Nicolas Gonzalez levelled for Argentina three minutes after the break but Nicolas Otamendi then fouled Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz and a penalty was given after a video assistant referee review.

Captain Rodriguez sent Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez the wrong way from the spot to score the 60th-minute winner.

Argentina remain top of the 10-team table by two points from second-placed Colombia.

The top six teams automatically qualify after 18 rounds of fixtures, which carry on until September 2025. The seventh-placed side go into an intercontinental play-off against a team from another confederation.

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