ARG vs CHI: Julian Alvarez and Alexis Mac Allister Shine in Lionel Messi’s Absence as La Albiceleste Triumph in World Cup Qualifiers
Argentina’s impressive performance saw them defeat Chile 3-0 in their World Cup Qualifying match on Thursday night, with standout displays from Julian Alvarez and Alexis Mac Allister. The win came in their first match since clinching the 2024 Copa América, demonstrating that they had fully moved on from any potential post-tournament hangover.
The match began with an emotional tribute to Ángel Di María, who announced his retirement from international football after the Copa América triumph. Di María’s heartfelt farewell, accompanied by his family and marked by a sea of cell phone lights in the stands, set a poignant tone for the game.
Argentina took this sentiment onto the field, aiming to honor their departing teammate with a performance to remember. After a scoreless first half, La Albiceleste returned to the pitch with renewed energy. Just three minutes into the second half, Mac Allister scored the opening goal with an assist from Alvarez.
The second half was dominated by Julian Alvarez. The Manchester City striker was in top form, and in the 84th minute, he scored a stunning long-range goal that hit the crossbar before finding the net. Paulo Dybala then sealed the victory with a third goal in stoppage time, coming off the bench to score with a precise strike.
With this win, Argentina remains at the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying standings, with 18 points from 21. They hold a five-point lead over second-placed Uruguay, while Colombia trails by a single point. Argentina will next travel to Barranquilla to face Colombia.
ARG vs CHI Goalkeeper and Defense
Emiliano Martínez (8/10): Made a crucial save in the first half and was solid throughout the match. A reliable performance.
Lisandro Martínez (7/10): Provided a threat on set pieces and had a chance on target. A strong showing from the Manchester United defender.
Cristian Romero (7/10): Maintained composure in the backline despite a few shaky moments, recovering well.
Nicolás Otamendi (8/10): Displayed exceptional passing accuracy, completing 96% of his 84 passes. Continues to perform brilliantly at age 36.
Midfield
Nahuel Molina (7/10): Played confidently as a right wing-back, effectively managing his side of the field.
Rodrigo De Paul (8/10): Showed his usual class in midfield, organizing play and leading effectively with a youthful midfield surrounding him.
Alexis Mac Allister (8/10): Was outstanding in midfield, scoring the vital opening goal and linking well with the forwards.
Enzo Fernández (7/10): While not his most influential game, he maintained a solid performance.
Nico González (6/10): Substituted early in the second half due to injury. As a wing-back, he contributed defensively but had limited impact on attack.
Attack
Lautaro Martínez (6/10): Had a challenging game, struggling to find space, but played a role in creating opportunities for Mac Allister. No shots on target.
Julian Álvarez (9/10): Provided an assist for Mac Allister’s goal and scored an impressive long-range shot. Exceptional performance.
Substitutes and Manager
Giovani Lo Celso (8/10): Came on for González and assisted Alvarez’s stunning goal. Made a significant impact.
Marcos Acuña (N/A): Substituted in with 11 minutes remaining, helped manage the closing stages of the match.
Paulo Dybala (8/10): Entered in the 79th minute and scored the third goal. Perfect impact off the bench.
Alejandro Garnacho (7/10): Assisted on Dybala’s goal and was active in his brief appearance.
Valentín Castellanos (N/A): Subbed on in the 89th minute, had limited time on the field.
Lionel Scaloni (8/10): Delivered a brilliant second-half performance. His halftime adjustments inspired the team to a much-improved second half, with Alvarez showcasing one of his best performances for La Albiceleste. Scaloni should be very pleased with the outcome.