Argentina did not miss Lionel Messi, Lootaro Martinez and other prominent players on Friday and beat Uruguay 1-0 in explaining fashion in their South American World Cup qualifying match.
Thiago Almada scored the winner with a powerful curl shot from the edge of the box, one points away from its direct place in the tournament next year.
Argentina leads the round robin competition with 28 points after 13 matches, and can secure her place with a home draw with Brazil on Tuesday. Coach Lionel Skaloni’s team already has 15 points ahead of Bolivia at 7th place, with only five rounds at the end of the competition.
Last time two football powerhouse was enraged, Argentina won 1–0 at the Marakana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Earlier, Ecuador defeated Venezuela 2–1 and moved to second place in the South American World Cup, once again approaching the tournament.
Brazil is in third place with 21 points, one ahead of Uruguay and Paraguay. Columbia ranks sixth with 19 points.
The top six teams will protect the berth directly for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The seventh -ranked team in the region will still have a chance to qualify through an international playoffs.
No Messi, no problem Argentina had to adjust the major absence beyond Messi. Lootaro Martinez, Lisandro Martinez and Rodrigo de Paul Montevidio did not play. So coach Lionel Skaloni gave a place to Giuliano Simone in the initial lineup, in front of Julián Anlvarez and Thiago Almada.
Uruguay, playing at a full -fledged Centenaio Stadium against his archery, took initiative and was the most obvious opportunities in the first half. But Argentina succeeded in catching her ground and started getting better opportunities after Haftime.
Almada’s target in the 68th minute, Argentina was still not carrying Uruguay forward after wasting several other opportunities in front of goalkeeper Sergio Roshet as Marcello Boysa’s team finished the match with only four shots on the goal.
Argentina’s Nico Gonzalez will recall the match against Brazil. He was sent after a challenge against Nahitan Nandez in the time of injury.
Brazil has his own selection problems for Tuesday’s match at the Monumental D Nunez Stadium for Tuesday’s match, such as goalkeeper Ellison, defender Gabriel Magalhes and Midfielder Bruno Guiresce are all unworthy to play.
Ecuador’s all-time top goal scorer Valencia Brace Energia Valencia on Friday added one and two into his tally.
The striker broke through protecting Venezuela in the 39th minute and scored with a powerful right-foot shot from an acute angle. In the first minute of the second half, he added the other, who ended in a perfect hunting on goalkeeper Rafael Romeo after a run on the left flank.
Valensia could have been one third by chance in 69th but he missed.
Zonder Kidies scored for Venezuela at the time of injury.
Venezuela does not live for nine straight games and lives in eighth place. The team still has a chance to qualify for the first time in history.
Ecuador began a competition with a three -digit deficit due to fielding to Bayran Castillo, which was actually Colombian and was disqualified to play for the 2022 World Cup. It is now close to returning to the tournament with a stable, confident squad.