Argentina confirmed their position at the summit of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings by defeating Chile 1-0. Although qualification for the 2026 World Cup was already secured, manager Lionel Scaloni utilized this match as an opportunity to evaluate players deeper within his squad.
A youthful attacking lineup, featuring Julian Alvarez, Thiago Almada, Nico Paz, and Giuliano Simeone, started the game. While their initial coordination wasn`t perfect, a moment of quality between Almada and Alvarez produced the crucial goal that gave Argentina the lead.
Matches like these, where Argentina can achieve results without needing Lionel Messi on the pitch for the full ninety minutes, are vital for preparing for the future. Their talisman did enter the fray in the second half for Nico Paz. Even if not at his absolute peak form, Messi`s presence was enough to keep Chile`s defense on edge as Argentina saw out the victory.
Despite the rotation, the team`s defensive performance remained solid throughout, effectively limiting Chile`s opportunities. Argentina successfully handled the challenge of playing away from home in Chile.
For Chile, this result is another blow in a difficult qualifying campaign that sees them currently sitting at the bottom of the CONMEBOL table. While they are only five points adrift of a potential playoff spot, the path back into contention remains challenging following this loss.
Argentina now boasts 34 points from 15 qualifying matches and has extended their winning streak to three games. This outcome definitively ensures that Argentina will finish at the top of the World Cup qualifying table. Scaloni will continue to use upcoming fixtures to assess the potential of the younger talent. Their next challenge is a tougher test against Colombia, which will be played back in the familiar surroundings of the Estadio Mas Monumental.
