Argentina claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Chile in Santiago on June, 2025, in a crucial World Cup qualifier, but the real story unfolded after Julián Álvarez’s early strike left fans on the edge of their seats.
Álvarez Strikes Early, Argentina Holds On.
Julián Álvarez put Argentina ahead just minutes into the match, finishing a slick move after a precise pass from Thiago Almada. The young striker’s deft touch over Chile’s goalkeeper Brayan Cortés gave the visitors an early lead and ultimately proved decisive.
Messi Starts on the Bench—And Chile Pushes Back.
With Argentina already qualified for the World Cup, coach Lionel Scaloni opted to rest Lionel Messi, bringing him on in the second half. Despite Messi’s presence, Argentina struggled to extend their lead. Chile, desperate for points, pressed hard in the second half. Lucas Cepeda came close on multiple occasions, forcing Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez into key saves and even striking the crossbar with a deflected shot.
Key Stats and What’s Next.
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Argentina dominated possession (66%) and completed over twice as many passes as Chile.
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Chile remains bottom of the qualification group, now needing to win all remaining matches and hope for help from other results to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
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Argentina, meanwhile, has secured the top spot in the CONMEBOL group with a 10-point lead and three matches left to play.
When Does Argentina Play Next?.
Argentina’s next World Cup qualifier is yet to be officially scheduled, but with qualification assured, all eyes will be on how Scaloni manages his squad and whether Messi returns to the starting lineup.
How Did Argentina Finish?.
Argentina finished with a hard-fought 1-0 win, thanks to Álvarez’s goal and a resilient defensive display, confirming their dominance in South American qualifying and raising questions about Chile’s fading World Cup dreams.
