Argentina proved their strength even without key players, including Lionel Messi, as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Montevideo on Friday. Thiago Almada’s stunning goal in the 68th minute sealed the win, bringing Argentina closer to securing a direct spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Argentina Closer to World Cup Qualification
Argentina now leads the South American World Cup qualifying table with 28 points after 13 matches. A draw at home against Brazil on Tuesday will officially confirm their qualification. With only five rounds remaining, they are already 15 points ahead of seventh-placed Bolivia, ensuring a strong position in the race for World Cup spots.
Almada Steps Up in Messi’s Absence
Without Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Lisandro Martínez, and Rodrigo De Paul, Argentina had to make adjustments. Coach Lionel Scaloni gave Giuliano Simeone a place in the starting lineup, alongside Julián Álvarez and Almada in attack.
Uruguay started aggressively in front of their home crowd at the Centenario Stadium, dominating the first half. However, Argentina’s defense held firm, and the visitors began creating better chances after halftime. Almada finally broke the deadlock with a powerful curling shot from the edge of the box.
Coach Scaloni Praises Team Performance
Despite missing key players, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was pleased with his team’s performance.
“We played a complete match. We absorbed the pressure, defended when we had to, and created chances when needed. I’m proud of how the team performed,” Scaloni said in the post-match press conference.
Match Statistics
| Statistic | Uruguay (URU) | Argentina (ARG) |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 55.1% | 44.9% |
| Shots on Goal | 2 | 4 |
| Shot Attempts | 6 | 12 |
| Fouls | 11 | 11 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 1 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 1 |
| Corner Kicks | 4 | 3 |
| Saves | 3 | 2 |
What’s Next?
Argentina will now face Brazil in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. However, they will be without Nico González, who was sent off in injury time for a challenge on Nahitan Nández.
Meanwhile, Uruguay will try to bounce back against Bolivia. If Bolivia fails to win, Argentina will qualify for the World Cup even if they lose against Brazil.
With Argentina showing their depth and resilience, fans will be eager to see if they can maintain their strong form against their biggest rivals.
