Julian Alvarez’s purpose 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 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 pull Ricardo Gareca’s hosts stage however was unable to seek out the web from any of them.
First, he noticed a fierce 20-yard strike crushed 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 submit within the 73rd minute as Argentina – who launched Messi instead of Como prospect Nico Paz early within the second half – survived.
The Albiceleste may have had a second purpose within the dying phases, however Giuliano Simeone in some way hit the aspect 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 are going to 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 received 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 powerful Atletico Madrid contingent. He was considered 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 because the 2022 World Cup, when he did so towards Poland and Australia.
