Watch: Substitute Lionel Messi argues with Nicolas Otamendi over Argentina captain armband

As the international break is underway, the Argentina football team faced Paraguay in a FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match on Friday, October 13 at Estadio Mâs Monumental. The World Champions prevailed in the match with a goal from Nicolas Otamendi in the opening minutes of the match. Fans also witnessed their favourite Lionel Messi taking on the field after almost one month of absence due to injury.

3 things you need to know 

• Argentina beat Paraguay 1-0 in the World Cup Qualifiers 
• Nicolas Otamendi scored for Argentina 
• Lionel Messi came on as a substitute 

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A moment of respect between Lionel Messi and Nicolas Otamendi

Argentina defeated Paraguay 1-0 in Buenos Aires on Friday to win their third straight World Cup qualifying match. After Rodrigo De Paul's corner kick, Nicolas Otamendi scored the game's only goal with an incredible volley in the third minute.

Otamendi assumed the captain's armband as regular captain, leaving Lionel Messi on the bench to start the match. Messi entered the game in the 53rd minute, taking Julian Alvarez's place. Messi saw Otamendi walking toward him while wearing the armband as he got about to step into the field. After a cordial conversation, Messi smiled and took the armband, which Otamendi helped fasten around his arm. Messi had first motioned for Otamendi to keep it.

It is noteworthy that Otamendi has two tattoos of Messi on his body, which attest to his well-known admiration for the player.

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Messi was unlucky during the match 

 Paraguay struggled to get past the middle. Under the direction of head coach Lionel Scaloni, Argentina was able to enjoy possession, and the World Champions managed to win the first half surprisingly enough without their main player, Lionel Messi.

Lionel Messi took a great corner after his arrival, his attempt at the corner kick went straight into the woodwork, suggesting that luck had eluded him. Minutes before the game ended, the Inter Miami player had another bad moment as he struck the crossbar with a free kick.

It's evident that Messi's luck was not with him in this game as he had a string of frustrating near misses. Even though Argentina won 1-0, it's important to remember that they had several chances to win more easily and that Paraguay had difficulty mounting a credible offensive threat in Buenos Aires.

Messi should be available as the team prepares for their next game against Peru with the hopes of scoring a goal for his team.