Julian Alvarez scored a brilliant goal as Lionel Messi made his long-awaited return to the national team. Argentina celebrated a strong win, with Alvarez leading the attack and Messi adding magic on the field in his emotional comeback match.
Young Argentina Team Shines in Messi’s Comeback Game
Argentina’s young stars stepped up and secured a 1-0 win over Chile in a World Cup qualifying match. Julian Alvarez scored the only goal, while Lionel Messi returned to the field after injury, coming off the bench in the second half.
No Pressure, Just Preparation for Argentina
Since Argentina had already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, there was no pressure to win this match. Coach Lionel Scaloni used this opportunity to test young and new players.
Big names like Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez started on the bench. Instead, young players like Thiago Almada and Nico Paz were given a chance in the starting lineup. Later in the game, 17-year-old Franco Mastantuono made his debut for Argentina, adding to the excitement.
Julian Alvarez Makes the Difference
Argentina started a bit slowly at the Julio Martinez Stadium in Chile. Chile tried to attack early, but the Argentine defense held strong. After settling into the game, Argentina began to control the ball and create chances.
In the 16th minute, Thiago Almada carried the ball from midfield and passed it perfectly to Julian Alvarez. The Manchester City forward stayed calm and scored a beautiful goal from inside the box. This goal turned out to be the match-winner.
Messi Returns, Chile Tries to Fight Back
Lionel Messi returned to the national team for the first time since his injury in March. He came onto the field in the 57th minute, replacing Nico Paz. Messi played for 33 minutes, took two shots, and showed his class with some smooth passes and touches.
Chile, trailing 1-0, pushed hard to equalize. They launched several attacks and tried to put pressure on Argentina’s defense. But the world champions stayed strong and kept Chile from scoring.
Argentina also had chances to double their lead, especially in the 83rd minute when Giuliano Simeone missed a clear chance. Despite that miss, Argentina comfortably held on to their lead until the final whistle.
Argentina Stays on Top of the Table
With this win, Argentina remains in first place in the South American World Cup Qualifiers. They now have 34 points from 15 matches, with 11 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses.
This match was not just about winning but about looking ahead. Argentina tested its bench strength, gave experience to young talents, and saw the return of their star captain, Lionel Messi. Fans now look forward to seeing more magic from this team as the 2026 World Cup gets closer.
