Lionel Messi was a second-half substitute as Argentina got a 1-0 victory over Chile in a World Cup qualifying match on Thursday night in Santiago. Julian Alvarez gave the defending world champions an early lead in the 16th minute, thus ensuring a very important win that consolidates Argentina’s place at the top of the CONMEBOL qualifying table. The Albiceleste have now secured a berth at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Julian Alvarez finished off a fantastic Argentinian counterattack by chipping the Chilean goalkeeper Brayan Cortés to score a goal that went in off the post. The striker scored the winning and the only goal of the game.
Messi Comes Off The Bench
Messi started the game on the bench but began warming up at the start of the second half. The coach brought him on in the 58th minute, earning a warm reception at Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos.
Although the Argentine captain didn’t find the net, he still made a few good efforts during his nearly 40-minute performance. One of his best chances was in the 83rd minute, when he gave an excellently weighted through ball to Giuliano Simeone, but the forward missed the chance by shooting wide.
Messi Named MLS Player Of the Month
Lionel Messi made his cameo on the pitch the same day MLS named him Player of the Month for May, recognizing his impressive performances with Inter Miami. It was not exactly a high-profile performance by his standards, but the game allowed him to get some important game time in the FIFA international break.
Argentina will have another qualifier against Colombia on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. After international duty, Messi will come back to South Florida for Inter Miami’s FIFA Club World Cup venture. He is scheduled to play in their first game against the Egyptian team Al Ahly on Saturday, June 14, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
