Without Lionel Messi, Argentina extend their stay at the top of the table 2026 World Cup Qualifiers after a decisive win against Chile for Matchday 7. Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez and Paulo Dybala were the scorers at Estadio Monumental.
Lionel Scaloni’s side were ruthless in a match they dominated from beginning to end. Ricardo Gareca’s men weren’t able to threaten La Albiceleste. They only had one shot on target, compared to Argentina’s eight.
With the win, Argentina are now five points ahead of Uruguay, who are second and are set to play against Paraguay on Friday (Sept. 6). Meanwhile, Chile are in the ninth spot of the table, with only five points so far.
Argentina defeat Chile without much trouble
That's all for tonight! Argentina, without Lionel Messi, defeated Chile thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez and Paulo Dybala, all in the second half.
Thanks for being with us and see us next time!
FULL TIME! (Argentina 3-0 Chile)
Argentina beat Chile with goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez and Paulo Dybala.
90+1' - DYBALA SCORES THE THIRD! (3-0)
Argentina stepped up the pace. Paulo Dybala scored the third goal following a brilliant play by Alejandro Garnacho.
89' - Julian left the field after his incredible goal (2-0)
After scoring the second goal, Alvarez was replaced by Valentin Castellanos.
84' - JULIAN ALVAREZ SCORES! (2-0)
Just after a great shot from Alejandro Garnacho, Julian Alvarez appeared to extend Argentina's advantage with a great strike! La Albiceleste win 2-0!
79' - Acuña, Garnacho and Dybala enter for Argentina (1-0)
Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martinez and Lisandro Martinez are out. Paulo Dybala, Marcos Acuña and Alejandro Garnacho are in.
76' - More substitutions in Chile (1-0)
Eugenio Mena replaces Thomas Galdames. Claudio Baeza enters, Rodrigo Echeverria is out.
76' - Chile get closer to Emiliano Martinez (1-0)
Chile aren't giving up. Ricardo Gareca's team are trying to score their first goal, but their attacks aren’t enough to make Argentina feel threatened.
68' - Several substitutions on both sides (1-0)
In Argentina, Nicolas Gonzalez was replaced by Giovani Lo Celso. Meanwhile, in Chile, Davila and Nunez are replaced by Carlos Palacios and Williams Alarcon.
57' - Argentina get control of the match (1-0)
After the first goal, Argentina regain control of the match and the ball.
48' - MAC ALLISTER SCORES! (1-0)
Alexis Mac Allister scores the first goal! After a great combination with Lautaro Martinez, the Liverpool player sent the ball to the back of the net.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! (0-0)
Argentina and Chile are playing the second half in Buenos Aires.
HALFTIME! (0-0)
Argentina and Chile are still level (0-0) at the break after an intense first half.
46' - Catalán with a clear shot! (0-0)
First half is almost gone, and we're still without goals at Monumental Stadium. However, Chile is starting to wake up, Catalán missed the first goal after a great header for only inches.
41' - Núñez and Dávila see yellow card
Marcelino Núñez and Víctor Dávila have have received yellow cards. Argentina has another free-kick.
33' - Lautaro and Arias clash (0-0)
Argentina continues to apply pressure. While clearing a dangerous cross, Arias and Lautaro collided in the box.
27' - First clear chance for Chile! (0-0)
After several minutes of Argentina dominating the game, Chile managed to break through and reach the home team's penalty area, earning a corner kick that ultimately led to nothing.
25' - Argentina is on fire (0-0)
Lionel Scaloni's team are dominating the match. So far, they have had 7 shots and two on target.
21' - Nico González with another chance! (0-0)
After another corner kick, Argentina get another clear chance to score. Nico González's header went straight to Arias hands. The hosts don't slow down.
11' - First corner kick for Argentina! (0-0)
Argentina and Chile have played a very physical game in the early minutes. However, Argentina have had more chances. First corner kick.
5' - First free-kick for Argentina (0-0)
Argentina receives a free-kick after Lautaro Martínez was brought down near Chile's penalty area. It comes down to nothing.
0' - GAME ON! (0-0)
Argentina and Chile are already facing each other in Buenos Aires in the opening match of the competition.
Argentina's line up confirmed
Lionel Scaloni's confirmed line-up:
Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez; Rodrigo de Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez; Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Nicolas Gonzalez.
Partial Stadium Ban - Why will there be fewer fans?
Estadio Monumental won’t be at full capacity during the game after FIFA imposed a disciplinary sanction to the World Cup champions due to team misconduct (delayed kickoff), discrimination by fans and security issues (invasion of the field of play).
The stadium capacity will be reduced by 25% for the match, which means approximately 20,000 fewer spectators will be allowed.
Paulo Dybala, Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez are all available to play. As well as Giuliano Simeone, Valentín Castellanos, Alejandro Garnacho, and Matías Soulé.
Chile's confirmed line-up
Ricardo Gareca's Chile has confirmed the official line-up for the game:
Gabriel Arias, Mauricio Isla, Matías Catalán, Paulo Díaz, Thomas Galdames, Felipe Loyola, Rodrigo Echeverría, Marcelino Nuñez, Darío Osorio, Eduardo Vargas y Víctor Dávila.
Argentina to honor Angel Di María after retirement
Ángel Di María retired from the national team (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Argentina are at the top of the table
Argentina are first with 15 points. They have won four of their last five matches of the qualifiers, only losing against Uruguay (2-0) back in November. They are, currently, two points ahead of La Celeste.
Tonight's referee
Venezuelan referee José Valenzuela will officiate tonight's clash between Argentina and Chile.
The last match that Valenzuela officiated involving Argentina was the opening game of the Copa América 2024, where the national team defeated Canada 2-0 in Atlanta.
The full officiating team for Argentina vs. Chile:
Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (VEN)
Assistant 1: Jorge Urrego (VEN)
Assistant 2: Tulio Moreno (VEN)
Fourth official: Alexis Herrera (VEN)
VAR: Juan Soto (VEN)
AVAR: Carlos López (VEN)
30' - Rodrigo De Paul gets first yellow card (0-0)
Rodrigo de Paul gets the first yellow card of the night after tackling Dávila. The game is still goalless.
18' - Argentina get another chance! (0-0)
Argentina want to score the first goal of the night. After several attacks, Rodrigo de Paul had one of the best chances of the night, but it was saved by Arias.
Kick-off time and how to watch
The clash between Argentina and Chile for the Matchday 7 of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers will kick off at 8:00 PM (ET).
Argentina were close to score after the first corner kick, but Catalán was key to prevent the first goal of the night. Argentina have started the first half pretty strong.
Argentina host Chile for Matchday 7 of World Cup Qualifiers
Welcome to our live blog of the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers match between Argentina and Chile!
The two teams will face each other at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It’s the first time La Albiceleste will play at home since defending their Copa America title back in July.
