Fernando Romero Nuñez Argentina’s men’s national football team beat its Uruguayan counterpart 1-0 in Montevideo to take another step towards the 2026 World Cup. With this result, the team coached by Lionel Scaloni has, at the very least, secured a place in an inter-confederation playoffs after the South American Qualifiers for a final spot in the World Cup.
It was an uninspired game by both teams, who set up deep, looking to force an opposition mistake and hit on the counter, without much in the way of luck or determination.
With captain Lionel Messi and 2024 Copa América hero Lautaro Martínez sitting out this game and the upcoming clash against Brazil, the Albiceleste looked harmless in attack, even if solid on defense. Against an Uruguay side that lacked the fast and snappy play usually showcased by head coach Marcelo Bielsa’s teams, it made for a forgettable showing in the first half.
The second half made for a more entertaining, if not more impressive game. With both teams looking for a goal to show for their troubles, it was not passing accuracy and clever touches that opened up the game, but more mistakes.
Argentina found the inspiration it had been sorely lacking at the 67 minute mark. After missing a very similar chance just minutes before, midfielder Thiago Almada picked up the ball on the edge of the box and took advantage of a retreating Uruguay defense to curl a shot to the goalkeeper’s top left corner. It was an impressive goal, and one that marked the men’s national team 2000th goal in history.
The goal gave Uruguay more intent, if not more clarity on attack, aided by Scaloni’s decision to bring out an extra defender to try and seal the result. A red card in the 94th minute of added time for Argentina striker Nicolás González after an accidental kick on Uruguayan midfielder Nahitán Nández’s face proved too little too late an advantage for the Celeste to claim back a tie.
“I was a bit anxious,” Almada admitted after the game. “I was eager to play and showcase why I was being called up. It was a tough game, but we did things right and we deserved the win.”
“We did what we had to do,” said Scaloni in the post-game press conference. “Football is all about momentum and you have to figure out how to endure in key moments.”
Talking about the absences of Messi and Martínez, the coach insisted that any national team player that is out has a teammate ready to step in.
“We had some big absentees, but we also have big players ready to step into the pitch,” he said.
Scaloni’s team is now virtually qualified to the 2026 World Cup, leading the South American Qualifiers with 28 points after 13 games, 15 points clear of seventh-placed Bolivia. With the top six places granting direct access to the tournament, all it needs from its upcoming clash against Brazil is a draw, to make it at least 13 points clear with just 12 to play for.Argentina will play against Brazil next Tuesday at River’s iconic Monumental stadium, with the game set to kick off at 9 p.m.
