Argentina Defeated Chile In The FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, With Messi Missing Out Due To Injury

The 2022 World Cup-winning captain, Lionel Messi, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, unfortunately missed Argentina’s crucial match against Chile during the intense FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL qualifiers held on the evening of Friday, 6th September. 

Despite his absence, the Argentine team put up an impressive performance with goals scored by Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez, and Paulo Dybala, securing a convincing 3-0 victory over the Chilean team at the iconic Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires.

He will be out of the two qualifying matches

Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni named a 28-man roster, however Lionel Messi was not included. Messi will miss Argentina’s two qualifying matches against Chile and Colombia owing to a high ankle injury suffered in the Copa America final. 

He has not played for either club or the country since then.

He is currently rehabilitating at Inter Miami, his Major League Soccer (MLS) team. Inter Miami’s coach, Tata Martino, told The Athletic that Messi has returned to practice but still does not have the approval to play.

Argentina tops the table with 18 points

Argentina showcased their attacking prowess throughout the match against their rivals, finding the back of the net on multiple occasions. 

In the 48th minute, Liverpool’s versatile midfielder, Alexis Mac Allister, skillfully converted a well-placed cross from the talented Julian Alvarez, giving Argentina an early lead. 

Not long after, it was Julian Alvarez himself who displayed his goal-scoring abilities by unleashing a powerful long-range shot that found the back of the net in the 84th minute, further solidifying their dominance on the field. 

As the game progressed, substitute Paulo Dybala, who entered the pitch in the 79th minute, made a significant impact by scoring a crucial goal during stoppage time, ultimately securing the victory for Argentina. 

The final assist leading to Dybala’s goal was beautifully executed by the emerging star, Alejandro Garnacho, emphasizing the team’s depth and talent. With this impressive win, Argentina now sits at the top of the table with 18 points, marking their success with six wins and just one loss in seven matches. 

Their next challenge awaits as they prepare to face off against Colombia on September 11th, Wednesday, in what promises to be another exciting encounter.

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