Argentina defeated Peru 1-0 within the World Cup Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada on Tuesday.
Nevertheless, the consequence won’t be stunning; the spotlight of the sport was an interaction between Lautaro Martine and Lionel Messi when the latter supplied an important cross into the penalty field within the fifty fifth minute to the previous who leaped within the air and smashed left-footed volley previous Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
Martínez’s purpose was his thirty second for the nationwide crew, which places him stage with the legendary Diego Maradona.
Till Martínez scored, Argentina’s finest likelihood was within the twenty first minute, when striker Julián Alvarez hit the Peruvian goalkeeper’s proper publish. Messi as soon as once more had a modest efficiency, as he did in his crew’s 2-1 defeat at Paraguay on Thursday.
Regardless of the disappointing efficiency at dwelling, Lionel Messi’s crew will end the yr with few query marks past its performances in November.
“We received Copa America, we lead South American World Cup qualifying,” mentioned goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. “We have to be pleased with ourselves.”
Argentina leads South American qualifying with 25 factors from 12 matches, 5 factors away from its closest competitor, Uruguay. Ecuador and Colombia are subsequent with 19 factors every.
Brazil lags in fifth place with 18 factors after a number of uninspiring performances, nonetheless hoping that striker Neymar will return from harm and slot in once more. Paraguay, with 17 factors, is in sixth place.
South American qualifying will give six direct berths within the subsequent World Cup. Seventh-place Bolivia, with 13 factors, is within the worldwide playoff place. Venezuela (12), Chile (9), and Peru (7) are out of qualifying spots.
The subsequent spherical of South American World Cup qualifying will likely be performed in March.
(With company inputs)