World Cup champions Argentina returned to action in Chile on Thursday, marking Lionel Messi’s first appearance for the national team in seven months after injury setbacks during his last international break. With Argentina already qualified for the 2026 World Cup as of March, this month’s Conmebol qualifiers will bring heightened focus on Messi’s role as preparations ramp up for next year’s tournament.
Messi, who turns 38 this month, previously expressed doubts about participating in another World Cup due to his age; however, his ongoing involvement with the national team keeps hope alive for fans. The match on Thursday offers Argentina an early chance to solidify their readiness as the defending champions.
Traveling to Santiago, Argentina faced Chile, who have struggled in the qualifiers, sitting at the bottom of the table with only two wins out of fourteen games. Despite their disappointing position, Chile still has a shot at qualification, needing to close a five-point gap to climb into playoff contention. A loss on Thursday could dramatically hinder their chances against stronger competitors like Colombia.
Viewing Details:
- Date: Thursday, June 5
- Time: 9 PM
- Location: Julio Martinez Pradanos National Stadium, Santiago, Chile
- Live Stream: Fanatis
- Odds: Chile +400; Draw +230; Argentina -130
Previous Encounter:
The last match between the two teams occurred in September in Buenos Aires, where Argentina secured a dominant 3-0 victory, with goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez, and Paulo Dybala. Chile struggled offensively, managing only one shot on target throughout the game.
Questions About Messi’s Participation:
The central question leading up to the match was whether Messi would play, as manager Lionel Scaloni indicated that a decision was still pending. Scaloni noted ongoing discussions with Messi regarding his fitness following a lengthy absence from the national squad.
Despite regular play with Inter Miami, where he has logged 90 minutes in each of the last 15 matches, Messi’s participation remains uncertain as Scaloni assesses the situation closely.
Projected Lineups:
- Chile: Brayan Cortes, Felipe Loyola, Guillermo Maripan, Francisco Sierralta, Gabriel Suazo, Arturo Vidal, Rodrigo Echeverría, Vicente Pizarro, Dario Osorio, Alexis Sanchez, Alexander Aravena
- Argentina: Emiliano Martinez, Najiel Morina, Christian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Rodrigo de Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Leandro Paredes, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez
Key Players to Watch:
- Julian Alvarez (Argentina): As an emerging talent in the national team, Alvarez has seized the opportunity to shine in Messi’s absence during qualifiers, having scored three goals so far. His recent performance in La Liga, along with a solid scoring record, makes him a crucial asset as the team aims to defend their title.
Storyline to Follow:
- The Evolving Argentina Team: Regardless of Messi’s status, Scaloni has been building a younger, more dynamic Argentine squad that isn’t solely reliant on stars. With a foundation established during their Copa America and World Cup victories, Scaloni’s fresh roster positions them favorably for future competition.
Prediction:
Argentina is expected to win comfortably against Chile despite Messi’s participation being uncertain, as the team boasts the talent to overcome Chile, who has conceded 21 goals in the qualifiers. Prediction: Chile 0, Argentina 2
Fan Take:
This matchup is significant for soccer fans as it showcases Argentina’s transition to a younger team while still holding on to its superstar legacy. The outcome not only affects Chile’s World Cup hopes but also sets the tone for Argentina’s preparations to defend their title.
