Argentina Closer to 2026 World Cup Qualification with Victory Over Uruguay
- paolo bibat
- Mar 22
- 2 min read
Argentina took a significant step towards securing their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Montevideo on Friday.
Despite the absence of key players, including Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, and Rodrigo De Paul, the reigning world champions demonstrated their depth and resilience.
Thiago Almada emerged as the hero for Argentina, scoring a stunning goal in the 68th minute with a powerful curled shot from the edge of the box that left Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet with no chance.
With this win, Argentina now leads the CONMEBOL qualifying group with 28 points from 13 matches. They are on the brink of securing their place in the tournament, needing only a draw against Brazil in their upcoming match on Tuesday, March 25, to officially qualify.
The team's performance was praised by coach Lionel Scaloni, who highlighted their ability to absorb pressure and capitalize on scoring opportunities. Scaloni noted, "We made a complete match, we absorbed the pressure. When we had to play, we did it. And when we had to defend, we did it too."
The match against Brazil will be crucial, not just for Argentina but also for their opponents. Brazil faces selection challenges, with starting goalkeeper Alisson, defender Gabriel Magalhães, and midfielder Bruno Guimarães all ineligible to play.
Meanwhile, Argentina will be without Nicolás González, who received a red card in stoppage time against Uruguay. Despite these challenges, Argentina remains confident, having previously beaten Brazil 1-0 at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
In other developments within the CONMEBOL qualifying group, Ecuador moved into second place after defeating Venezuela 2-1. Ecuador's Enner Valencia scored twice, bringing his tally to 38 goals and solidifying his position as the team's all-time top scorer.
Venezuela, meanwhile, remains in eighth place but still holds onto hopes of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in their history. As the qualifying campaign enters its final stages, Argentina's strong position reflects their continued dominance in South American football, even without their talismanic captain Lionel Messi.
