Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Chile in World Cup qualifying on Thursday was a masterclass in resilience and attacking prowess. The match, coming after their Copa America triumph, saw the World Cup champions assert their dominance with standout performances, particularly from Julian Alvarez, who justified Atletico Madrid’s significant investment in him.
Before the action kicked off, the focus was on Angel Di Maria, who was given a heartfelt tribute as he announced his retirement from international football. The ceremony, marked by emotional speeches and a sea of cell phone lights from the packed crowd, was a touching farewell to a football icon.
The game itself started with a high tempo but remained goalless at halftime. However, Argentina came out with renewed vigor after the break. Alexis Mac Allister broke the deadlock just three minutes into the second half, converting an assist from Julian Alvarez to put Argentina 1-0 ahead.
Alvarez, who stepped up in Lionel Messi’s absence, was the star of the second half. In the 84th minute, he unleashed a spectacular long-range shot that rattled in off the crossbar, showcasing his quality. Paulo Dybala added the finishing touch with a late goal in stoppage time, further cementing Argentina’s superiority.
Player ratings from the match:
- Emiliano Martinez (8/10): Delivered a critical save in the first half and remained a reliable presence throughout the match.
- Lisandro Martinez (7/10): Impressed both defensively and in attack, including a notable chance from a set-piece.
- Cristian Romero (7/10): Showed composure in defense despite a few shaky moments.
- Nicolas Otamendi (8/10): Excelled in passing accuracy, completing 96% of his 84 passes, showcasing his veteran skills.
- Nahuel Molina (7/10): Effective in his wing-back role, contributing significantly down the right flank.
- Rodrigo De Paul (8/10): Dominated the midfield with his poise and leadership, anchoring the team’s performance.
- Alexis Mac Allister (8/10): Played a crucial role in midfield and scored the opening goal, linking well with the attack.
- Enzo Fernandez (7/10): Solid but not as influential as usual; maintained a consistent performance.
- Nico Gonzalez (6/10): Had to be substituted early due to injury, offering a quiet presence before his exit.
- Lautaro Martinez (6/10): Had a challenging game, struggled to find space but helped in other ways, including as a decoy.
- Julian Alvarez (9/10): Provided an assist for Mac Allister and scored a stunning long-range goal, proving his value.
- Giovani Lo Celso (8/10): Made a significant impact off the bench, assisting Alvarez’s goal and adding to the team’s attacking momentum.
- Marcos Acuna (6/10): Contributed defensively and helped manage the game’s final stages.
- Paulo Dybala (8/10): Scored in stoppage time, making a perfect impact as a substitute.
- Alejandro Garnacho (7/10): Assisted Dybala’s goal and was active and effective in his brief appearance.
- Valentin Castellanos (N/A): Came on late and had little impact on the game.
Lionel Scaloni (8/10): His tactical adjustments at halftime proved crucial, resulting in a dominant second-half performance and a well-earned victory.
