Even without their superstar Lionel Messi, the Argentine national team won 3-0 against Chile in the qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool FC scored the opening goal in front of their home crowd in the capital Buenos Aires in the 48th minute after an assist from Rodrigo de Paul. In the 84th minute, striker Julián Álvarez of Atlético Madrid increased the lead to 2-0 before Paulo Dybala of AS Roma converted the final goal in injury time.
Messi did not play at the Estadio Monumental on Thursday (local time) because he is still recovering from an ankle injury. World champions Argentina are clearly leading the South American table for qualifying for the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico with 18 points after seven games. Next Tuesday, the Albiceleste will face third-placed Colombia in Barranquilla. Record world champions Brazil are currently in sixth place and will play Ecuador on Friday and then Paraguay on Tuesday.
