It has been a cold day at the top for Argentina. The 2022 World Cup winners played without Lionel Messi and managed to secure a win away to the Centenario, Saturday (22/03) morning IST, against Uruguay in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Argentina won 1-0 and now have 28 points from 13 games, while Uruguay are fourth on 20 points. Argentina next face arch-rivals Brazil at the Estadio Mas Monumental on Wednesday (26/03) at 05:30 IST.
Thiago Almada scored a stunning goal as Argentina beat Uruguay 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier.
In the first half, Uruguay enjoyed much of the possession but failed to capitalise on their chances. Argentina’s best chance came when Giuliano Simeone crossed into the area and Alexis Mac Allister’s run was stopped by the goalkeeper.
Lionel Scaloni’s side started the second half on the front foot. A through ball from Julian Alvarez found Thiago Almada, but the goalkeeper came out to block Almada’s shot.
At 0-0, Julián Álvarez would play a pass to Almada and the Argentine’s shot from outside the box would find the top corner to give Argentina a 1-0 lead.
Scaloni brought on Nicolás González for Giuliano Simeone, Exequiel Palacios for Alexis Mac Allister, Leonardo Balerdi for Leandro Paredes and Ángel Correa for Thiago Almada.
Nicolás González was shown a straight red card late in the game. He went for the ball but missed and accidentally kicked Nandez in the face.
Argentina ran out 1-0 winners and will play Brazil on Tuesday.
Lineups
Uruguay (4-3-3): Sergio Rochet; Mathias Olivera, Jose Maria Gimenez, Ronald Araujo, Nahitan Nandez; Giorgio de De Arrascaeta (Nicolas de la Cruz 42′), Rodrigo Bentancur, Federico Valverde (Rodrigo Aguirre 72′); Maximiliano Araujo, Darwin Nunez (Federico Vinas 72′), Facundo Pellistri (Brian Rodriguez 58′)
Coach: Marcelo Bielsa
Argentina (4-3-3): Emiliano Martinez; Nicolas Tagliafico, Nicolas Otamendi, Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina; Alexis Mac Allister (Exequiel Palacios 80′), Leandro Paredes (Leonardo Balerdi 87′), Enzo Fernandez; Thiago Almada (Angel Correa 87′), Julian Alvarez, Giuliano Simeone (Nico Gonzalez 69′)
Coach: Lionel Scaloni
