Messi assists Lautaro Martínez to help Argentina beat Peru 1-0 in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
Argentina defeated Peru thanks to a great goal by Lautaro Martinez in the second half, after a Lionel Messi assist. With the win, they are still atop of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying standings.
While the hosts were clearly the superior team, just as in their last match against Paraguay, they struggled to create clear chances to open the scoring. In the first half, only Julian Alvarez (with a shot that hit the post) and Alexis Mac Allister (with two headers) brought danger to Pedro Gallese’s goal.
However, at the 55th minute of the second half, the team combined in a beautiful play which culminated in Messi’s great assist for Martinez to score with a kind-of overheard kick. The goal was enough for them to end the year on a positive note.
Argentina defeat Peru in their last match of the year
Thanks to Lautaro Martinez's goal, Argentina got a win against Peru at La Bombonera. Lionel Scaloni's men end the year at the top of the standings.
That was all for today! Thank you for being with us!
END OF THE MATCH!
End of the match! Argentina defeated Peru 1-0 at La Bombonera.
90' - Last changes in Argentina (1-0)
Leandro Paredes and Facundo Medina replace Alexis Mac Allister and Leonardo Balerdi.
89' - Second yellow card in Peru (1-0)
Carlos Zambrano sees the yellow card after a tackle over Enzo Fernandez.
86' - Last changes in Peru (1-0)
Jose Rivera replaces Andy Polo. While Pedro Quispe enters for Sergio Peña.
81' - Two more changes in Argentina (1-0)
Lautaro Martinez and Rodrigo de Paul were replaced by Giuliano Simeone and Giovani Lo Celso.
80' - Mac Allister with another scoring opportunity (1-0)
Messi with the deep pass to Mac Allister, who once again had an opportunity against Pedro Gallese. However, the match is still 1-0.
76' - First change in Argentina (1-0)
Gonzalo Montiel is replaced by Nehuén Pérez.
75' - More changes in Peru (1-0)
Oliver Sonne and Alex Valera are replaced by Bryan Reyna and Edison Flores.
64' - First change in Peru's lineup (1-0)
Paolo Guerrero leaves the pitch, Gianluca Lapadula replaces him.
63' - Argentina with another chance! (1-0)
Julian Alvarez with a cross to Messi, who couldn't shoot. Before, Rodrigo de Paul had a chance but his shot went wide.
59' - Lautaro's incredible goal (1-0)
Here's the video of Lautaro's goal:
55' - GOAAAAL LAUTARO! (1-0)
Argentina finally scores the first goal! Lautaro Martinez after a great assist by Messi!
50' - No changes so far (0-0)
Both teams came back to the pitch with the same players. Argentina are still looking for their first goal.
46' - MATCH RESUMES! (0-0)
Argentina and Peru are playing the second half!
END OF THE FIRST HALF!
The first half is gone! Argentina and Peru are still tied without goals at La Bombonera. The hosts had their chances, two Mac Allister's headers and Julian Alvarez hit the post, but couldn't score.
45' - Two more minutes! (0-0)
The referee has added two more minutes before the end of the first half.
44' - Yellow card for Araujo (0-0)
Miguel Araujo sees the yellow card. First yellow card of the match.
43' - Free-kick for Argentina (0-0)
Lionel Messi takes the free-kick, but it end up in Pedro Gallese's hands.
38' - Almost Argentina! Mac Allister again! (0-0)
After a free-kick, Mac Allister once again found the ball in the box, but couldn't score.
36' - Argentina control the match, but still without goals (0-0)
Argentina have the ball and are pressing Peru into their box. However, they still don't have any shots on targets. The clearest chance was by Julian Alvarez, who sent the ball to the goalpost.
29' - Argentina with defensive trouble (0-0)
After 30 minutes suffering Argentina's control, Peru were able to bring some danger to Emiliano Martinez's box. However, everything ended up in nothing due to offside.
24' - Mac Allister with a clear chance! (0-0)
Mac Allister had a great opportunity to score the first goal of the night, but his header shot went wide.
23' - The match is still tied (0-0)
While Argentina control the ball, they can't find spaces to create danger.
15' - Gallese saves Julian's shot (0-0)
Enzo Fernandez recovered the ball in midfield and passed it to Alexis Mac Allister, who combined with Julian Alvarez. Alvarez took a shot, but Pedro Gallese easily saved it.
13' - Almost Montiel! (0-0)
Another great play by the hosts! This time, it was Gonzalo Montiel who couldn't find the net.
12' - Mac Allister waste a clear chance (0-0)
Rodri De Paul with a long-pass to Alexis Mac Allister, but he can't find anyone in the box. Argentina are getting closer to the first goal.
7' - Corner kick for Peru (0-0)
Nicolas Otamendi stops a dangerous attack from Guerrero. Corner kick for Peru.
5' - Argentina with the first chance (0-0)
Messi played Montiel in, but Tagliafico's shot cleared the bar. Argentina are controlling the ball in the first minutes.
0' - GAME ON! (0-0)
The match between Argentina and Peru for Matchday 12 of FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers is on!
Players are on the pitch!
Players from both countries are on the pitch for the national anthems. Everything is ready for the start of the match.
Argentina could lose their top spot at the FIFA Rankings
Argentina has held the top spot in the FIFA Men's Rankings for the past 18 months, breaking their own record of 11 months. But they could lose their lead if they don't beat Peru, especially after France's recent win.
Lionel Messi has never lost to Peru
Messi has a perfect record against Peru, remaining unbeaten in nine encounters. He's netted three goals, provided one assist, and guided his teams to a record of six wins and three draws.
Tonight’s stage: La Bombonera
Argentina return to Estadio Alberto J. Armando stadium, mostly known as La Bombonera. It has a capacity of 54,000 people. The last time La Albiceleste played in Boca Juniors’ stadium, it was against Uruguay in November 2023. The hosts lost 2-0.
Fans cheer prior to the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Argentina and Peru at Estadio Alberto J. Armando (Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
Argentina’s special kit for tonight’s match
Argentina will wear a special kit tonight, which Adidas released to celebrate 50 years since they first partnered in 1974.
Peru’s lineup vs Argentina!
According to RPP Noticias, Peru is going to play with: Pedro Gallese; Miguel Araujo, Carlos Zambrano, Alexander Callens; Oliver Sonne, Jesus Castillo, Andy Polo, Sergio Peña, Luis Advincula; Paolo Guerrero and Alex Valera.
Luis Advíncula of Peru controls the ball during the South American Qualifier match between Peru and Chile (Daniel Apuy/Getty Images)
Tonight’s referee
The referee of tonight’s match between Argentina and Peru is Colombian Wilmar Roldan. He has officiated several matches for La Albiceleste. The last one took place in 2023, when Argentina was defeated by Uruguay.
Referee: Wilmar Roldan
Assistant 1: John Leon
Assistant 2: Jhon Gallego
Fourth official: Carlos Betancur
VAR: Yadir Acuña
AVAR: Heider Castro
Lionel Messi’s last match of the year - Argentina’s lineup
Argentina’s line up has been confirmed by journalist Gaston Edul. The team that will face Peru consists of: Emiliano Martinez; Gonzalo Montiel, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.
It will be Messi's last match of 2024.
Lionel Messi of Argentina looks on (Christian Alvarenga/Getty Images)
Kick off and where to watch
The clash between Argentina and Peru for the Matchday 12 of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers will kick off at 7:00 PM (ET).
If you want to watch the match between Argentina and Peru in the US, you have several options: Fubo (free trial), Telemundo, DirecTV Stream, ViX.
Argentina host Peru for Matchday 12 of World Cup Qualifiers
Welcome to our live blog of the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers match between Argentina and Peru!
The two teams will face each other at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, Argentina. La Albiceleste, with Lionel Messi, want to end the year with a win, after coming from a 2-1 defeat against Paraguay.
Stay with us so you don't miss a single thing with minute by minute updates!
