CONMEBOL 2022 World cup Qualifiers: Messi-less Argentina beat Chile 2-1

Ben Brereton Diaz canceled out Angel de Maria's brilliant opener before Lautaro Martinez scored the winner as Argentina took all three points.

Argentina beat Chile 2-1 in the 2022 World Cup qualification fixture; Credit: Twitter/@CONMEBOL
By Sreejith C R | Jan 28, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Argentina were without Lionel Messi but Angel di Maria and Lautaro Martinez scored for the visitors to take all three points against Chile in the world cup qualifier on Thursday. La Albiceleste have already qualified for the World cup finals in Qatar and therefore opted to rest Messi so that he could recover completely from COVID-19 infection. Meanwhile Chile scored through their  English-born striker Ben Brereton. The win helped Argentina to 32 points, just four behind leaders Brazil, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Ecuador on the same day.

Argentina looked the more composed side in the early stages of the game and put their nose in front within the opening 10 minutes. Di Maria drove forward down the right flank, drew three defenders towards him before cutting inside and unleashing a beautiful left-footed curler into the top corner.

However, Chile equalized within ten minutes of the goal. Nunez delivered a deep cross for Brereton to rise above Molina and head home over the goalkeeper and into the net. The visitors restored their lead in the 34th minute. Rodrigo de Paul unleashed a powerful long-range effort, which was palmed away by Claudio Bravo, but only to the path of Martinez, who made no mistake as he tucked in the rebound neatly.

The visitors held on to the slender lead and took all three points. “We knew it was going to be difficult at high altitude and after a long flight,” said Di Maria. “The important thing is that we come away with a win.

“Everything is always much easier when Leo is here. The important thing is that we keep working like we’ve been doing and bringing joy to Argentines.”

Meanwhile, apart from captain Messi, Argentina were also missing their head coach Lionel Scaloni, who was self-isolating at home due to COVID-19. Argentina or an impressive run, having not tasted defeat in 28 games.

Brereton’s goal was the first against Argentina in seven qualifiers. “Today we were without the best in the world and our coach as well but we got the victory and this is also for them,” said Di Maria.

The defeat left Chile languishing at the seventh spot with 16 points from 15 games, three points behind fourth-placed Uruguay. The top-four team qualify automatically while the fifth-placed team goes into inter-continental playoff with a side from the Asian confederation.

Leaders Brazil and Argentina have already qualified while Ecuador, who are placed third with 24 points, are on the verge of attaining qualification.





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