Montevideo — Even without the presence of Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, and several other key players, Argentina delivered a commanding performance on Friday to defeat Uruguay 1-0 in Montevideo. The reigning world champions proved their depth and determination in the South American World Cup qualifiers, taking a decisive step toward securing their spot in the 2026 tournament.
Thiago Almada emerged as the hero of the night, netting the only goal of the match with a stunning curled strike from the edge of the penalty area. His powerful finish sealed three crucial points for Lionel Scaloni’s side, who now sit comfortably atop the round-robin standings with 28 points from 13 matches.
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“They created some chances on our right side, but we corrected that in the second half, and it became a different game.”— Lionel Scaloni
Argentina’s victory was not only a demonstration of tactical discipline but also a testament to the squad’s strength in depth. With several regular starters sidelined, the team showed no signs of weakness, dominating large stretches of the game and limiting Uruguay’s attacking chances.
The result leaves Argentina just one point away from officially qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with five matches remaining. A draw against arch-rivals Brazil at home on Tuesday would be enough to mathematically secure their place in the tournament.
Currently, Argentina holds a commanding 15-point lead over seventh-placed Bolivia, with the top six teams from the South American qualifiers earning direct entry to the World Cup. The win also adds to Argentina’s impressive record against regional rivals — the last time the two giants faced off, Argentina edged Brazil 1-0 at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
With confidence high and momentum in their favor, Scaloni’s men are firmly on course to defend their world title on the global stage next year.
Key Points:
Argentina Defeats Uruguay 1-0: Despite missing Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, and other key players, Argentina secured a convincing away win in Montevideo on Friday.
- Thiago Almada Scores the Winner: Almada netted the decisive goal with a powerful curled shot from the edge of the box.
- Top of the Table: Argentina leads the South American World Cup qualifying standings with 28 points from 13 matches.
- One Point from Qualification: The defending champions need just one more point to officially qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Next Match Against Brazil: Argentina can secure qualification with a home draw against Brazil on Tuesday.
- Strong Lead Over Rivals: They are 15 points ahead of seventh-placed Bolivia with only five rounds remaining.
- Recent Head-to-Head Success: Argentina also defeated Brazil 1-0 in their last encounter at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
