Argentina defeated Chile in the World Cup qualifiers

Buenos Aires (dpa) – Even without the superstar Lionel Messi, the Argentine national team qualified for the football– World Cup 2026 with a clear score of 3-0 Chile forced Liverpool FC’s Alexis McAllister took the lead in front of a home crowd in the capital Buenos Aires in the 48th minute after an assist from Rodrigo de Paul. In the 84th minute, Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez made it 2-0 before AS Roma’s Paulo Dybala converted the score in extra time.

Messi did not play at the Estadio Monument on Thursday (local time) as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. The world champion Argentina leading the South Americarecord to qualify 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. Brazil are currently in sixth place and will play against Ecuador on Friday and then against Paraguay on Tuesday.