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 harking back to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in his pomp, racing onto Thiago Almada’s move then flicking the ball over the onrushing Brayan Cortes with the surface of his boot.
An early effort from Alexis Sanchez, which was parried effectively by Emiliano Martinez, was Chile’s solely shot on the right track within the first half, however they pushed for a leveller after the break.
Lucas Cepeda had three alternatives to tug Ricardo Gareca’s hosts degree however was unable to seek out the online from any of them.
First, he noticed a fierce 20-yard strike overwhelmed away by Martinez, then his roller from the fitting nook of the field deflected off Cristian Romero and onto the highest of the crossbar.
Cepeda additionally volleyed extensive on the far put up within the 73rd minute as Argentina – who launched Messi rather than Como prospect Nico Paz early within the second half – survived.
The Albiceleste may have had a second aim within the dying phases, however Giuliano Simeone one way or the other hit the facet netting after rounding Cortes.
That miss finally 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.
In fact, they gained their third World Cup in 2022 after failing to take action for that version, ending second behind Brazil, so Lionel Scaloni will probably be conscious that they should again up these performances in the US.
Alvarez was the hero on Thursday, having fashioned a part of a robust Atletico Madrid contingent. He was one among 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 because the 2022 World Cup, when he did so towards Poland and Australia.