Argentina seized a crucial 1-0 victory over Chile in Santiago, sealing their dominance at the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table and officially punching their ticket to the 2026 World Cup. The match’s only goal came early, with Julián Álvarez finishing a slick move set up by Thiago Almada in the 16th minute, leaving the home crowd silenced and Chile’s qualification hopes in tatters.
Despite missing several regular starters, Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni fielded a bold lineup featuring young talents like Nico Paz and Almada, while Lionel Messi started on the bench after returning from injury Paz, the 20-year-old midfielder, was handed a rare start and showed promise in the opening half, helping Argentina control possession and tempo.
Chile, desperate for points, pushed hard in the second half but struggled to break down Argentina’s disciplined defense. The tension peaked when Messi entered the pitch in the 57th minute, replacing Nico Paz, but even the legendary captain couldn’t alter the scoreline as Argentina’s backline held firm.
For Chile, the defeat leaves them languishing near the bottom of the qualification standings, with their World Cup dreams now hanging by a thread The frustration among fans was palpable, with hopes now pinned on their next match against Bolivia.
Meanwhile, Argentina can look ahead with confidence, having showcased both depth and emerging talent. Thiago Almada’s assist and Nico Paz’s starting debut signal a bright future, while Messi’s late cameo reminded fans of the team’s star power—even when not at full strength.
Key Takeaways:.
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Julián Álvarez scored the decisive goal, assisted by Thiago Almada.
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Nico Paz started and impressed before being subbed out for Messi.
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Lionel Messi returned from injury, entering as a second-half substitute.
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Argentina remains unbeaten against Chile in their last eight meetings.
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Chile’s qualification hopes are now nearly extinguished, with just two wins in the campaign.
