BEVERLY HILLS, June 04, (THEWILL) – The South American World Cup qualifiers picked up steam on Thursday as Argentina clashed with Chile in the resumption of the CONMEBOL campaign. In a tight encounter, Lionel Messi scored from the spot and former Barcelona teammate Alexis Sanchez found an equaliser for a goal apiece first half action that settled the match in Chile.
THEWILL had reported how concerns over the prevailing coronavirus pandemic forced the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) to postpone the qualifiers in May as some South American footballers would not have been available to join their countries squad without flouting COVID-19 protocols.
With hostilities resumed behind closed doors on Thursday in Chile at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades, Argentina opened the scoring through Messi’s 24th-minute penalty after Lautaro Martinez was fouled by Guillermo Maripan which the referee needed to confirm via the video assistant referee (VAR). It was the captain’s 72nd international goal.
The hosts did not stay behind for an extended period of time because star forward Alexis Sanchez levelled the scores 12 minutes later, with the assist from Gary Medel, who kept a free-kick ball alive by heading it across the six-yard box for his team-mate to score and give the contest a tight finish.
The Argentines looked most likely to find the net but two free kicks from almost the same spot by Messi were kept out, by Claudio Bravo, in goal for Chile, and the post. Bravo was in inspired form and needed to be to prevent Argentina from taking all three points, while Chile looked the more threatening in latter minutes of the second period.
Overall, it was a good showing for La Albiceleste who remain unbeaten through five games in the qualifying series and who came into the match against Chile for their first game since November 2020 when they beat Peru 2-0. Chile were better together as they had played a friendly in March.
The game was also good for both nations who are set to partake in the imminent Copa America that kicks off in Brazil on Sunday, June 13
Argentina has not been beaten since the 2019 Copa America in July where they lost 2-0 to Brazil in the semi-finals. The draw against Chile took coach Lionel Scaloni’s men to 12 games unbeaten. Chile also impressed under new manager Martin Lasarte, who replaced Reinaldo Rueda in February, with this first qualifying fixture providing strong optimism among Chile fans.
Will this form translate to their performances in the Copa America? Both sides displayed moments of brilliance and Bravo’s athletic sharpness in front of goal kept Chile in the match for long periods while an almost ineffective display from Angel Di Maria made for a weak Argentine midfield until he was substituted in the second half.
Messi could have added at least two more goals and will have to be sharper for Argentina to benefit from his inclusion in the side while Sanchez has not lost his predatory instincts, which was evident throughout the game but most especially in the way he sneaked in behind the defense unmarked to level the scores.
The hosting rights of the Copa were taken from Argentina and awarded to Brazil in controversial circumstances regarding the prevalence of COVID-19 infection rates around the South American countries. The question of home grounds advantage will be hollow because of COVID-19 restrictions that limit crowd attendance, but will Brazil fare better by hosting, will be something to watch out for.
Argentina edged Chile in the overall statistics for the match and can improve their cohesion the more the get some intoned practice and time with the team as a unit. That could be to their advantage in the upcoming continental competition and Messi will be ready to take advantage of that cohesion if he can fine-tune his shooting.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
