Midfielder Javier Mascherano admitted that Argentina were outplayed at home in their 1-0 South America World Cup qualifying defeat against Paraguay on Tuesday.
An 18th minute goal by Derlis Gonzalez provided the visitors with the platform to sit back and defend in Cordoba. Sergio Aguero missed a penalty and Edgardo Bauza's men also had a goal disallowed. Lionel Messi missed the game through injury.
The unexpected loss was their third consecutive game without victory -- previous games ended in 2-2 draws against Venezuela and Peru -- and Argentina are now in fifth place, out of the automatic qualification spots.
"When you play poorly, you don't see the light. We have been losing points and that complicates our chances at qualifying," said Mascherano.
"We played a very poor game. We were disorganised. We played under pressure, we made pressured decisions, we didn't have a plan and [we can get away with it] once, maybe twice but not all the time. We played two bad games," Mascherano said.
"We were outplayed by Paraguay. The score is correct. We didn't do enough to merit a tie nor to beat them. The mistakes at goal were individual but well, we didn't just lose because of our lack of scoring but also because the team never found answers.
"And we haven't found any in either of these two matches. And the footballing mistakes [on the pitch] have affected our mood. I am extremely worried [about our form]. We played poorly in both matches."
Argentina coach Bauza remained defiant despite his team's patchy form and insisted that they did enough to deserve at least one point.
"It is tough to talk about justice in football. Obviously we are bitter because I feel we played a good game," Bauza said.
"The first half didn't go well. Football punished you when you can't capitalise on your chances.
"We played against a team who defended well, with a line of four and then [a midfield] five in front [of them].
"We leave [the game] very sad and upset. We couldn't salvage the draw but in the two remaining matches, we'll try to recover the points we have lost."
With only eight qualifying games left, Argentina will be hoping to have talisman Messi back for their November clash away to Brazil.