Lionel Messi was the difference as Argentina edged a crucial World Cup qualifier against Chile. Elsewhere, an unlikely hattrick hero inspired Brazil to an emphatic win over Uruguay that moved them closer to Russia 2018.
A Lionel Messi penalty was enough to give Argentina to a tight but crucial World Cup qualifying win over Chile in Buenos Aires on Thursday.
The Barcelona forward, who briefly retired from international football last year, beat his former teammate Claudio Bravo from the spot in the 16th minute for his 58th international goal after Jose Fuenzalida had fouled Angel Di Maria in the box.
Chile had a goal disallowed before falling behind and Alexis Sanchez rattled the crossbar with a free kick just after the hour mark as the visitors took hold of the game in the second half.
However, they couldn’t find the breakthrough against Edgardo Bauza’s men, despite Argentina naming an attacking side that featured Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain alongside Di Maria and Messi.
“It was great that we won against a good team, but for me the best thing was the way we fought,” Bauza said after the game.
The result lifts Argentina into third spot in a tight qualifying table in which the teams in second (Uruguay) and sixth places (Chile) are separated by just three points.
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