Even though Argentina has already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, they still managed a 1-0 victory over Chile. The match provided coach Lionel Scaloni an opportunity to evaluate reserve players, fielding a young attacking lineup featuring Julian Alvarez, Thiago Almada, Nico Paz, and Giuliano Simeone from the start. Despite some initial lack of cohesion among the youthful front line, a crucial link-up between Almada and Alvarez resulted in Argentina scoring the decisive goal.
Matches where Argentina clinches a win without Lionel Messi on the pitch are vital for preparing for a future phase when he might not feature in every game. However, in this particular match, the star player was introduced in the second half, replacing Paz. Although potentially not at his absolute best, Messi`s presence helped La Albiceleste maintain control and see out the victory against Chile.
Furthermore, despite squad rotation, Argentina`s team defense remained robust, preventing Chile from creating significant scoring chances. Argentina effectively handled the away fixture on Chilean soil. Chile, in contrast, is experiencing a difficult World Cup qualifying campaign, currently occupying the bottom position in the CONMEBOL table. While only five points shy of a playoff spot, climbing back into contention will be a formidable task after this defeat.
Argentina now stands at 34 points from 15 qualifying matches and has won their last three consecutive games. This result ensures Argentina will finish at the top of the World Cup qualifying standings, granting Scaloni more time to assess the young talent within the squad. Their next fixture, a tougher test, will be against Colombia on Tuesday, marking a return to the familiar surroundings of the Estadio Mas Monumental.
