Argentina’s men’s national football team beat Chile 1-0 on Thursday, courtesy of a 16th minute goal by striker Julián Álvarez. The win extended the Albiceleste’s lead on the South American Qualifiers and virtually eliminated Chile from contention.

With Lionel Messi starting on the bench, the match was also a chance for Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni to try out new names and options as the 2026 World Cup draws nearer.

“Its our job, and the players’ job, to come play for the national team and give all they have,” said Scaloni after the match. “It was a tricky date, players have played a lot of games. But all of them wanted to be here and that’s what matters.”

The bulk of the attention Thursday was placed on three names: starters Argentine-Spanish wonderkid Nicolás Paz and former Boca Juniors defender Leonardo Balerdi, as well as  17-year-old River sensation Franco Mastantuono, who entered from the bench.

Balerdi, rock-solid in defence

The Olympique de Marseille defender was one of the standouts of the night. At a time when Argentine is eager for a generational change at the back, as Nicolás Otamendi, Germán Pezzella, and Nicolás Tagliafico are all getting up there in age, Balerdi establishing himself as an option is exactly what Scaloni needed.

Imperious in the air and recovering plenty of balls for his team, he also showed he’s got the technical skills to play with the World Cup-winners, barely misplacing a pass during the game. The highlight of his match was undoubtedly the line-breaking pass he put for Thiago Almada at the start of Argentina’s goal play.

Nico Paz has still got a ways to go

The former Real Madrid midfielder is coming off a crowning season with Como in Italy. The main man in head coach Cesc Fàbregas’ 4-2-3-1, he was given the reins of the team and freedom to move across the pitch. The result was a season in which Paz led the team across several attacking statistics, such as ball-progressing passes, chances created, and individual duels.

Yet, we saw very little of that player with the Albiceleste. The midfielder looked to miss a step as he struggled to impose himself in the same way he does for his European team. Still, the fact that he wasn’t really outshined by Messi when the Inter Miami star replaced him at the 57th minute mark says a lot about his future.

Mastantuono, record-breaker

We saw very little of River Plate’s teenage sensation at his Argentina debut, as he was subbed in in the 84th minute with the match largely settled. Still, he looked eager to play and try different plays, always looking to face the opposition whenever he got the ball.

“We tried to lay off him, barely said anything,” said Scaloni after the match. “He’s got a big future ahead of him, he’ll make us even stronger. We’re happy with his debut.”

Coming on to the pitch in place of Giuliano Simeone, he broke Juan Sarnari’s 65-year-old record as youngest player to make his official debut with the Argentina men’s national football team at 17 years, 9 months, and 22 days old. Diego Maradona holds the absolute record, having debuted in a friendly against Hungary in 1977 at 16 years, 3 months and 28 days old.