Having already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, Argentina still took on Chile, emerging victorious with a 1-0 scoreline. The match provided an opportunity for coach Lionel Scaloni to evaluate squad depth, starting a young attacking lineup including Julian Alvarez, Thiago Almada, Nico Paz, and Giuliano Simeone. Despite some initial struggles with coordination, a combined effort between Almada and Alvarez resulted in the decisive goal, giving Argentina the lead.
Matches where Argentina can overcome opponents without Lionel Messi from the start are crucial for preparing for a future phase where his playing time might be managed. In this game, however, he was introduced in the second half, replacing Paz. Although perhaps not at his peak, the captain`s presence was still impactful, helping Argentina see out the 1-0 win against Chile.
Despite squad rotation, the team`s defense remained solid, limiting Chile`s scoring opportunities. La Albiceleste successfully secured the win away from home. For Chile, this qualifying campaign has been challenging; they sit near the bottom of the CONMEBOL standings. While technically still capable of reaching a playoff spot (five points away), their path is now considerably harder after this defeat.
Argentina now boasts 34 points from 15 qualifying matches, extending their winning streak to three games. This victory guarantees Argentina finishes atop the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table. Scaloni gains further insights into his younger players. Their next match will be a more significant challenge against Colombia on Tuesday, played back home at the Estadio Mas Monumental.
