ASUNCION, Paraguay -- Now the pressure will increase even more on Diego Maradona and Argentina.
The two-time champions stumbled again in World Cup qualifying, losing to Paraguay 1-0 Wednesday night and falling out of the top four in the South American standings.
Nelson Valdez scored in the 27th minute for Paraguay, which clinched its fourth straight World Cup appearance.
"As long as I have a drop of blood left, I will fight to get Argentina qualified," said Maradona, who as captain led Argentina to its second World Cup title in 1986. "We're not out of the World Cup. I'm not afraid of criticism. I'm not afraid of anybody. I'm going to continue no matter who criticizes me."
Maradona took over as coach last November, and Argentina has lost four of its last five qualifiers.
The Albiceleste are in danger of missing the World Cup for the first time since 1970. Only the first four South American teams are guaranteed berths in the 32-nation field, and the fifth-place finisher goes to a playoff against the No. 4 nation from North and Central America and the Caribbean.
Valdez hit a post in the seventh minute and Jonathan Santana hit the crossbar in the 23rd.
Sergio Aguero started up front for Argentina in place of Carlos Tevez, who missed the match because of a knee injury. Argentina played a man short after Juan Sebastian Veron was ejected in the 53rd minute for receiving his second yellow card.
Argentina nearly tied it in the fourth minute of second-half injury time, when Martin Palermo headed back across the penalty area and Rolando Schiavi just failed to connect.