Argentina beat Chile 2-1 in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier

Argentina,
sans Lionel Messi, defeated Chile 2-1 on Thursday in their World Cup qualifier
after Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez netted for the La Albiceleste at
Estadio Municipal de Calama in Calama, Chile. With this win, Argentina
collected full three points. This marks Argentina’s 28th game without defeat.

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Argentina
headed into this game without their star footballer Messi as he was rested
after his COVID-19 infection. However, his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Di
Maria stepped up to give the visitors the lead with a trademark curling shot
from outside the box after 10 minutes.

But
10 minutes later, Chile’s England-born striker Ben Brereton levelled the score
when he sent a fine looping header over goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

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Argentina
then took advantage of an injury to Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to seal the
win 11 minutes before half-time.

The
Real Betis goalkeeper, Bravo, was preparing to be substituted when Rodrigo de
Paul fired a drive from 30 metres, and with the goalkeeper only able to parry
the shot Lautaro Martinez followed up to slot home the rebound.

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“We
knew it was going to be difficult at high altitude and after a long
flight,” said Di Maria. “The important thing is that we come away
with a win.

“Everything
is always much easier when Leo is here. The important thing is that we keep
working like we’ve been doing and bringing joy to Argentines.”

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The
match also saw Argentina’s talismanic coach Lionel Scaloni isolated at home due
to a COVID-19 infection.

“Today
we were without the best in the world and our coach as well but we got the
victory and this is also for them,” said Di Maria.

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The
defeat was a huge blow to Chile’s hopes of qualifying for the FIFA 2022 World
Cup. They are seventh, on 16 points, in the 10-team South American qualifying
group with only three matches to play.

As
per the qualification rule, only the top four teams qualify automatically and the
fifth-placed team goes into a playoff against a side from the Asian confederation.

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Leaders
Brazil and second-placed Argentina have already qualified and Ecuador, who are
third with 24 points, are almost certain to join them.