Mueez Ajao
– Goals from Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez gave Argentina a 2-1 win in Chile on Thursday in their World Cup qualifier as the visitors collected the three points without Lionel Messi.
– Argentina opted to rest Messi after his COVID-19 infection, but his Paris Saint-Germain team mate Di Maria stepped up to give the visitors the lead with a trademark curling shot from outside the box after 10 minutes.
– Chile’s English-born striker Ben Brereton equalised just over 10 minutes later 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.
– Bravo was preparing to be substituted when Rodrigo de Paul fired in a fierce drive from 30 metres, and with the goalkeeper only able to parry the shot Lautaro Martinez followed up to slot home the rebound.
– “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.”
– The result, which was also achieved without the presence of talismanic coach Lionel Scaloni, who was isolating at home due to COVID-19, marks Argentina’s 28th game without defeat.
– Brereton’s goal was the first against Argentina in seven qualifiers.
– “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.
– The result was a huge blow to Chile’s hopes of qualifying for Qatar. They are seventh, on 16 points, in the 10-team South American qualifying group with only three matches to play.
– The top four qualify automatically and the fifth-placed team goes into a playoff with a side from the Asian confederation.
– Leaders Brazil and second-placed Argentina have already qualified and Ecuador, who are third with 24 points, are almost certain to join them.
