Argentina, having already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, continued their strong form by defeating Chile 1-0. This match served as an opportunity for coach Lionel Scaloni to assess players deeper within his squad. A forward line consisting of Julian Alvarez, Thiago Almada, Nico Paz, and Giuliano Simeone started the game. While their attacking interplay wasn`t always seamless, a collaborative effort between Almada and Alvarez resulted in the decisive goal that put Argentina ahead.
Matches where Argentina can secure results without Lionel Messi on the field are vital for preparing for the future phase when his participation might be limited. In this game, however, Messi was brought into the action, replacing Paz in the second half. Even if not at his absolute peak, the star player`s presence was enough to maintain pressure on Chile as Argentina saw out the victory.
Furthermore, despite the roster rotation, the team`s defense remained effective, successfully preventing Chile from generating significant scoring chances. `La Albiceleste` handled the away fixture in Chile professionally. Chile`s World Cup qualifying campaign has been challenging; they currently sit near the bottom of the CONMEBOL table. Although they are only five points adrift of a playoff spot and a comeback is mathematically possible, losing this match makes their qualification path considerably more difficult.
For Argentina, this win brings them to 34 points from 15 matches in the qualifying campaign, marking their third consecutive victory. Coach Scaloni will continue to use upcoming games to evaluate young talent. This result ensures that Argentina will finish atop the World Cup qualifying standings. Their next fixture presents a tougher challenge: facing Colombia on Tuesday. This match will be played on familiar ground, at the Estadio Mas Monumental.
Benedict Kingsley