Lionel Messi's Argentina likely to be without 2 first-team stars for World Cup qualifier against Peru: Reports

Lionel Messi's Argentina are reportedly set to be without defenders Cristian Romero and Nicolas Tagliafico for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Peru on Tuesday (November 19).

Lionel Scaloni's side are coming off a 2-1 reverse at Paraguay, with Lautaro Martinez's 11th-minute opener cancelled out by Antonio Sarabria and Omar Alderete either side of the break. Despite their second defeat in four qualifiers, La Albiceleste are three points clear of Colombia at the top but have played a game more.

The reigning World Cup winners will seek to return to winning ways when they take on Peru at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires next week. But they will have to do without Romero and Tagliafico due to injury, as per World Soccer Net.

While Romero came off at half-time in the Ascuncion clash due to a right foot issue, Tagliafico twisted his shoulder in a second-half incident but still completed the game. The Olympique Lyonnais defender is expected to undergo tests when the team return to Argentina.

Coming back to the aforementioned game at the Defensores del Chaco, Albiceleste captain Messi didn't make a goal contribution as his team suffered their third loss in 11 qualifiers.

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"We knew it was going to be a tough match" - Lionel Messi's Argentina boss after Paraguay defeat

Argentina captain Lionel Messi

With captain Lionel Messi enduring a quiet outing, Argentina returned empty-handed from their trip to Asuncion. However, boss Lionel Scaloni isn't looking too much into the defeat in Paraguay.

Analysing the game, Scaloni noted that his team played well in the first half but admitted that Paraguay were better after the break. The two-time Copa America and World Cup-winning coach said (as per Albiceleste Talk):

“I’m not here to criticise my players. I’m here to support them. We knew it was going to be a tough match. We’re here to move forward. In the first half, we played a good game, but the first action at the start of the second half made everything more difficult. We have to congratulate the opponent, who defended very well.”

"I don’t know if they found the antidote. We’re hoping to get back on the positive path. The team always tries and stands tall. That’s what’s important: never giving up on the game and always having the desire to compete.”

Lionel Messi and Co. are looking to become the first back-to-back world champions since Brazil in 1962, having ended their 36-year title drought two years ago.