Argentina conceded a first-half penalty but recovered to secure a 1-1 draw against Paraguay in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Buenos Aires on Thursday.

Angel Romero scored his third goal in three internationals when he coolly rolled home a penalty for Paraguay.

Nicolas Gonzalez equalised for Argentina four minutes before half-time.

Argentina thought they had taken the lead after an hour when Lionel Messi sidefooted home, but the goal was chalked off for an earlier infringement inside their own half that was picked up by the Video Assistant Referee.

“I think there has to be a way of uniting the themes of the VAR,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “We are left with a bitter-sweet taste because Argentina did everything to win.”

Neymar injury

Neymar has been ruled out of Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay next week because of a groin injury sustained while playing for PSG in a Champions League game.

Euro qualifiers

Hungary and Scotland have qualified for the Euro 2020 finals on Thursday. North Macedonia and Slovakia are also through.

Salah tests positive

Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah has tested positive for the coronavirus on the eve of Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Togo, the Egyptian Football Association said on Friday.