Lionel Messi participated in the hand-laying against the Brazilians. The 34-year-old playmaker, who missed his club’s last two games for his club, Paris Saint-Germain due to physical discomfort, started in the starting line-up. Neymar was missing from Brazil. Messi’s colleague at Paris Saint-Germain has a thigh injury and is not taking any risks.
Argentine national coach Lionel Scaloni brought Ajax player Lisandro Martinez to the team in the second half. His Amsterdam teammate Nicholas Tagliafico remained on the bench. And Anthony of Ajax joined Brazil in the final stage. Certainly in the second half the Brazilians were the better of the match, but Vinicius Junior among others saw the goals fail.
Other duels
There were also no injuries in Colombia and Paraguay. Meanwhile, Chile lost 0-2 to Ecuador at home. And star player Arturo Vidal showed the red color by the host team after fifteen minutes. At that time the score was 0-1 with a goal by Pervis Estupinan. Then Moises Kaisedou decided the end result in injury time. Uruguay saw their chances of participating in the World Cup dwindle due to the massive defeat in Bolivia. National coach Oscar Tabarez saw his team lose 3-0. Meanwhile, Peru beat Venezuela 1-2.
Ecuador is third, six points behind the Argentines. The Ecuadoreans, in turn, are six points ahead of Colombia and Peru, who appear to be vying with Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia and Paraguay for the last direct ticket and play-off.
CONCACAF
Canada was doing good business in North America. The country – which will be present as a co-organiser in 2026 anyway – hopes to be allowed to take part in the World Cup again for the second time in history. With the 2-1 victory over Mexico led by Edson Alvarez, that dream is once again a lot closer. Kyle Larren scored the two goals for the Canadians.
The United States withdrew against Jamaica. Timothy Weah, the son of former footballer and current Liberian president George Weah, helped the Americans at Kingston take an early lead after West Ham’s regular striker Michael Antonio equalized in the 22nd minute.
Canada now leads the CONCAF group with a point, followed by the United States. Mexico and Panama follow with another lower point. The difference from the rest – led by Costa Rico – is 5 points, with six rounds remaining. The first three countries to qualify directly for the World Cup, No. 4 is judged in a playoff against a country from another continent.
