Argentina showcased their dominance in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers with a resounding 3-0 home victory against Chile on Thursday. The Copa America champions displayed a commanding performance, securing their third consecutive win in the qualifying campaign despite the absence of star players Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria.
The Monumental Stadium paid tribute to Di Maria, who recently announced his retirement from international football. However, the Argentine squad didn’t miss a beat, demonstrating their depth and talent.
The breakthrough came early in the second half when Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister found the back of the net with a first-time volley off a precise cross from Julian Alvarez. Alvarez himself added his name to the scoresheet in the 84th minute, finding the target with a powerful long-range shot.
Substitute Paulo Dybala completed the rout in stoppage time, sealing the win with a well-taken goal. The victory left Argentina atop the South American standings with 18 points, five points clear of second-placed Uruguay.
Argentina’s next challenge comes on Tuesday with a rematch of the Copa America final against Colombia, while Chile hosts Bolivia in their upcoming qualifier. The Copa America champions are aiming to maintain their momentum and strengthen their position in the race to secure a place at the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
