Are you 18 years old or above?
Argentina, the reigning world champions, are set to face Chile at the Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires on Thursday, as part of their campaign to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Argentina, currently topping the CONMEBOL qualifiers with a near-flawless record, are heavy favorites to win against a struggling Chilean side, who have only managed one victory in their first six games of the campaign.
After six rounds of matches, La Albiceleste lead the South American rankings, having collected 15 points out of a possible 18. Their sole defeat came against Uruguay, a 2-0 loss just five days before they bounced back with an important away win over Brazil in November. Lionel Scaloni’s side is looking to continue their strong form in front of their home fans, where they haven’t played since winning the Copa America for a record-extending 16th time in July. Their recent dominance has cemented them as one of the best teams in the world, and a victory over Chile will not only extend their lead at the top of the qualifiers but also reinforce their number-one FIFA ranking.
In contrast, Chile has endured a poor start to the qualifiers, managing just one win, two draws, and three losses in their opening six games. La Roja’s hopes of returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2014 are starting to fade, with the team currently languishing in ninth place, two points outside of the qualification spots. Their only victory came against Peru, a 2-0 win on the third matchday, but since then, they’ve only managed one point from their next three fixtures. Their most recent defeat, a 1-0 loss to Ecuador in November, was the final blow for manager Eduardo Berizzo, who resigned shortly after the game. His replacement, Argentinean Ricardo Gareca, has a mixed record so far, with two wins, two draws, and two losses in his first six games in charge.
The task ahead for Gareca and his men is daunting, as Chile has historically struggled against Argentina. The two nations have met 13 times across various competitions, and Chile has only won once, a 1-0 victory during World Cup qualifying back in 2008. Since then, Argentina has been dominant, and they most recently defeated Chile 1-0 in the group stage of the Copa America earlier this year. Although Chile will be looking to turn the tide, the odds are heavily stacked against them, especially with a depleted squad that is missing several key players.
Argentina will be without their talisman Lionel Messi, who is recovering from an ankle injury sustained during their Copa America final triumph against Colombia. Messi’s absence is a significant blow for the team, but Scaloni’s squad is packed with talent, and they are expected to cope without their captain. The team will also be without experienced players like Angel Di Maria and goalkeeper Franco Armani, both of whom have retired from international duty, as well as defenders Nicolas Tagliafico and Leonardo Balerdi, who are sidelined with injuries. Tagliafico’s absence leaves Argentina without a natural left-back option, and 21-year-old Valentin Barco, who is on loan at Sevilla from Brighton & Hove Albion, is likely to fill in for him. Despite his inexperience, Barco has shown promise and will be eager to make his mark on the international stage.
In Messi’s place, Scaloni has several options to choose from in the attacking department. Paulo Dybala, Nicolas Gonzalez, and Alejandro Garnacho are all candidates to replace the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, who won the Golden Boot at the Copa America, are expected to lead the line. Martinez’s form has been exceptional, and his partnership with Alvarez could prove to be a deadly combination for the Chilean defense to handle.
Chile, on the other hand, is dealing with several absences of its own. Claudio Bravo, the long-serving goalkeeper and former captain, has retired from international football, leaving Ricardo Gareca with the task of finding a new number one. Swansea City goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux, who was born in London, is the only uncapped player in the squad and will be competing with Gabriel Arias and Brayan Cortes for the starting spot. Key players like Alexis Sanchez and Diego Valdes are also missing due to injuries, and with the likes of Arturo Vidal, Gary Medel, and Francisco Sierralta also left out of the squad, Chile will be without several of their most experienced players.
Despite the challenges, Gareca will be hoping that his team can put in a resilient performance and perhaps cause an upset. Eduardo Vargas, who has been a key figure for Chile over the years, will be partnered by Ben Brereton Diaz in the attack. Brereton Diaz, who was born in England and plays for Villarreal in La Liga, has impressed since making his debut for Chile in 2021 and will be looking to add to his goal tally. In midfield, Erick Pulgar is expected to be the main orchestrator, with support from Marcelino Nunez and Rodrigo Echeverria, as they look to control the tempo of the game and limit Argentina’s attacking opportunities.
For Chile to have any chance of getting a result, they will need to be defensively solid and take their chances when they come. Argentina’s attacking threat is well-documented, and even without Messi, they have a wealth of attacking options capable of breaking down any defense. The combination of Alvarez, Martinez, and Gonzalez will be difficult to stop, and Chile’s backline, which is likely to feature Igor Lichnovsky and Guillermo Maripan, will need to be at their very best.
In the midfield battle, Chile will need to keep a close eye on Argentina’s creative playmakers, particularly Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernandez. De Paul has been a key player for Argentina in recent years, and his ability to dictate play and create opportunities for his teammates will be crucial. Fernandez, meanwhile, has been a revelation since his move to Chelsea and will be looking to continue his impressive form on the international stage.
Argentina’s probable starting lineup is expected to feature Emiliano Martinez in goal, with Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, and Barco forming the defensive backline. In midfield, De Paul, Fernandez, and Alexis Mac Allister are likely to start, while the attacking trio of Gonzalez, Lautaro Martinez, and Julian Alvarez will lead the charge.
For Chile, their probable lineup includes Gabriel Arias in goal, with Mauricio Isla, Lichnovsky, Maripan, and Eugenio Mena forming the defense. In midfield, Nunez, Pulgar, and Echeverria will look to provide stability and creativity, while Osorio, Vargas, and Brereton Diaz will be tasked with finding the back of the net.
Given the form and quality of the two sides, Argentina is the clear favorite to come out on top in this encounter. Even without Messi, they have enough firepower and depth to overcome a Chilean side that is struggling to find consistency. With the home crowd behind them and the momentum of their recent successes, La Albiceleste should have little trouble securing a comfortable victory and solidifying their position at the top of the South American qualifiers.
For Chile, this match presents an opportunity to assess their progress under Gareca and identify areas for improvement as they continue their quest for World Cup qualification. While an upset seems unlikely, a strong performance against the world champions could give them the confidence they need to turn their fortunes around in the remaining qualifiers.
In conclusion, Argentina is expected to win this match convincingly, with their talented squad and home advantage proving too much for a weakened Chilean side. With players like Alvarez and Martinez in top form, Argentina will likely extend their lead at the top of the South American standings, while Chile faces an uphill battle to remain in contention for a World Cup spot.
Sports • 730 Views
Sports • 451 Views
Sports • 415 Views
Sports • 354 Views
Sports • 315 Views
Sports • 288 Views
Sports • 282 Views
