Argentina vs Chile LIVE: Game on in Buenos Aires!

Argentina and Chile have played a very physical game in the early minutes. However, Argentina have had more chances. First corner kick.

Argentina receives a free-kick after Lautaro Martínez was brought down near Chile's penalty area. It comes down to nothing. 

Argentina and Chile are already facing each other in Buenos Aires in the opening match of the competition.

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.

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.

(Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi won’t be part of Lionel Scaloni’s team against Chile. The Argentine captain is still recovering from an ankle injury. However, La Albiceleste don’t have a shortage of attacking power.

Paulo Dybala, Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez are all available to play. As well as Giuliano Simeone, Valentín Castellanos, Alejandro Garnacho, and Matías Soulé.

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.

One of the topics of the night will be the official goodbye to Angel Di María, who won’t be playing tonight, but who will receive a tribute after his decision to retire from the national team after the 2024 Copa America.

Ángel Di María retired from the national team (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

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.

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)

The clash between Argentina and Chile for the Matchday 7 of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers will kick off at 8:00 PM (ET).

There will be several options to watch Argentina vs Chile in the USA: Fubo, UNIVERSO NOW, Telemundo Sports Live, ViX.

Argentina was close to score after the first corner kick, but Catalán was key to prevent the first goal of the night. Argentina has started the first half pretty strong. 

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.

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