Argentina win without Lionel Messi in crucial World Cup qualifier

Argentina secured a 1-0 victory over Uruguay in their South American World Cup qualifier on Friday, despite missing Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez.

Thiago Almada delivered the decisive goal with a brilliant curling strike from outside the box, putting the reigning champions just one point away from securing direct qualification for next year’s tournament.

Currently leading the standings with 28 points from 13 matches, Argentina could confirm their place with at least a draw against Brazil at home on Tuesday.

Coach Lionel Scaloni’s squad holds a comfortable 15-point advantage over seventh-placed Bolivia, with only five rounds remaining in the qualifiers.

The last time Argentina and Brazil faced off, Argentina claimed a 1-0 win at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil sit in third place with 21 points, just ahead of Uruguay and Paraguay, while Colombia holds the sixth spot with 19 points.

Alongside Messi, Argentina had to cope with the absences of Martinez, Lisandro Martínez, and Rodrigo De Paul for their match in Montevideo.

🏆 #Eliminatorias

La Gran Muralla Argentina 🇦🇷🚧 pic.twitter.com/9Psro1adhn

— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) March 22, 2025

As a result, coach Scaloni included Giuliano Simeone in the starting lineup alongside Julian Alvarez and Almada in attack.

Uruguay, backed by a packed Centenario Stadium, started well and had the best opportunities in the first half. However, Argentina began to take control after the break.

Almada’s breakthrough in the 68th minute came after several missed opportunities against Uruguay’s goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.

“I was a little anxious, very willing to play and to show why I was making the squad,” said Almada, a member of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning team. “Now we have to rest and wait for this match against Brazil, they will rest one more day than us.

“We made a complete match, we absorbed the pressure. When we had to play, we did it. And when we had to defend, we did it too,” Scaloni stated in a press conference. “I am happy not only for our win, but also for how the team behaves.”

Argentina will be without Nico Gonzalez against Brazil after he received a red card in stoppage time for a challenge on Nahitan Nandez.

Brazil, meanwhile, face line-up issues for Tuesday’s clash, with starting goalkeeper Alisson, defender Gabriel Magalhaes, and midfielder Bruno Guimaraes all unavailable.