Julian Alvarez’s aim guided a youthful Argentina staff to a 1-0 win over Chile in World Cup qualifying, leaving La Roja’s hopes of reaching the event hanging by a thread.
The world champions had already sealed qualification and had the luxurious of leaving Lionel Messi on the bench in Nunoa.
Simply 16 minutes had gone when Alvarez produced a end paying homage to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in his pomp, racing onto Thiago Almada’s go then flicking the ball over the onrushing Brayan Cortes with the skin of his boot.
An early effort from Alexis Sanchez, which was parried effectively by Emiliano Martinez, was Chile’s solely shot heading in the right direction within the first half, however they pushed for a leveller after the break.
Lucas Cepeda had three alternatives to pull Ricardo Gareca’s hosts degree however was unable to search out the online from any of them.
First, he noticed a fierce 20-yard strike crushed away by Martinez, then his roller from the suitable nook of the field deflected off Cristian Romero and onto the highest of the crossbar.
Cepeda additionally volleyed huge on the far publish within the 73rd minute as Argentina – who launched Messi rather than Como prospect Nico Paz early within the second half – survived.
The Albiceleste might have had a second aim within the dying levels, however Giuliano Simeone someway hit the aspect netting after rounding Cortes.
That miss in the end meant little, although, because the guests constructed an unassailable 10-point lead over Ecuador on the prime of the CONMEBOL qualification group.
Chile, in the meantime, stay backside. They’re 5 factors off the play-off spot with simply three video games remaining and can see their slim hopes of qualification extinguished if Venezuela beat Bolivia on Friday.
Information Debrief: South America’s most interesting
Argentina’s victory ensures they’ll end prime of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualification group for the third time this century, additionally doing so for the 2002 and 2014 tournaments.
After all, they gained their third World Cup in 2022 after failing to take action for that version, ending second behind Brazil, so Lionel Scaloni might be conscious that they should again up these performances in america.
Alvarez was the hero on Thursday, having shaped a part of a robust Atletico Madrid contingent. He was certainly one of 4 Atleti gamers within the Argentina lineup, alongside Simeone, Rodrigo De Paul and Nahuel Molina.
He additionally netted in March’s 4-1 rout of Brazil and has now netted in back-to-back appearances for Argentina for the primary time for the reason that 2022 World Cup, when he did so in opposition to Poland and Australia.
