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Updated : Nov 20, 2024 07:33 IST
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Lautaro Martinez of Argentina celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match against Peru. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
Welcome to Sportstar’s highlights of the Argentina vs Peru FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match played at the La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Peru keeper launches the ball forward for one final chance but Medina heads the ball away from danger.
And that is the last major action of the match as the referee blows the whistle for full time.
Argentina is playing a risky game as the players pass the ball around the back, inviting pressure. However, it seems like they have it under control as the Peru players scramble across the pitch without any success.
Argentina gets a free kick in the middle of the pitch after Reyna commits a foul.
Argentina: Mac Allister and Balerdi are replaced by Paredes and Facundo Medina.
Four minutes of added time to play.
Play is stopped as Mac Allister stays on the ground clutching his leg.
Zambrano is shown a yellow card for a bad challenge on Mac Allister.
Peru has possession of the ball and it comes to Lapadula on the right. He tries to make his way into the box but Otamendi does well to stand his ground and clear the ball away.
Peru: Polo and Pena are replaced by Piero Quispe and Jose Rivera
Peru is looking hard for an equaliser in the closing stages of the match. Castillo does not help his side’s cause after sending the ball out for a throw-in cheaply.
Corner comes in for Argentina from Messi. The pass is low and well read by the Peru defence which clears it away from danger.
Argentina: Lautaro and De Paul are replaced by Lo Celso and Giuliano Simeone.
Messi and Alvarez play one-touch football in the opposition half with the former trying to set up Mac Allister inside the box. Messi ends up sending the pass too ahead and the keeper comes off his line to collect the ball.
Peru is enjoying a good spell of possession now. Argentina gets the ball back after Advincula commits a foul on De Paul.
Mac Allister runs up to a ball on the edge of the Peru penalty box and takes a first-time shot. It is an easy save for the keeper in the end.
Argentina: Montiel is replaced bu Nehuen Perez.
A long ball is played forward to Lapadula for Peru. He brings it under control and passes it to Pena outside the box. He takes a shot from way out which ends up going well wide of the target.
Peru: Bryan Reyna and Edison Flores come in to replaced Sonne and Valera.
Mac Allister wins the ball in Peru’s half and goes on a counter. He tries to play a ball through for Alvarez into the box but his pass is heavy and the ball is collected by the Perru keeper.
Alvarez finds Messi and he tries to dribble his way into the box. He is closed down by the Peru defence but he does well to win back the ball for his side.
Argentina is taking its time in the match now as the Peru players run around, trying to win possession from their opponent.
Andy Polo tries to get something going for Peru but ends up running the ball out of play himself on the far side.
Argentina gets a freekick in the middle of the pitch after De Paul is fouled.
Substitute Lapadula stands over the freekick and shoots the ball straight into the stands.
Lapadula into action immediately. He tries to play a ball through for Sonne, but his pass is heavy and the chance is wasted.
Peru gets a freekick in a good shooting position after Otamendi commits a foul.
Peru: Guerrero is replaced by Gianluca Lapadula
Argentina gets a freekick in the middle of the pitch after Messi is fouled.
De Paul puts in a quick cross into the box and Lautaro does well to reach the ball. However, this time he does not keep his shot on target and the ball sails over the bar in the end.
Argentina gets a freekick in a good crossing position on the right side of the pitch.
Peru is looking for a response but the Argentina backline passes the ball around themselves to slow down the tempo of the game.
Martinez scores!!! Lionel Messi gets the ball on the left side of the penalty box. He drives into the box and puts a cross into the middle. Lautaro Martinez is there and spectacularly volleys the ball into the back of the net with his left foot.
De Paul is under pressure in his own half and he keeps his cool to play the ball back to Martinex and away from danger.
Once again Peru resorts to playing long balls forward and ends up giving away possession to Argentina.
Match resumes as Montiel seems fit to continue.
Messi tries to get inside the box but once again the Peru centreback sticks a leg out to stop the attack and play is stopped as Montiel goes down to the ground after a collision with an opposition player.
Argentina is enjoying a good spell of possession now but cannot seem to breach Peru’s defence.
A ball is played to Guerrero out front. He is held off well by Balerdi who wins the ball for Argentina.
Zambrano tries to play a long ball ahead for the Peru forwards. He ends up overhitting the pass and the ball is collected by Martinez in goal.
Peru plays the ball around the back despite the pressure from the Argentina players. The Peru keeper ends up giving the ball away to Argentina.
Peru kicks off the second half, shooting from right to left.
Played: 58
Argentina: 37
Peru: 7
Draws: 14
Lionel Messi’s Argentina will be on the verge of confirming a 2026 World Cup spot if it beats Peru in Buenos Aires in South American qualifying on Tuesday.
Victory would give defending champion Argentina 25 points from 12 matches, historically good enough for at least sixth place in the 10-team standings. South America has six entries into the World Cup.
But Argentina will be without five injured players after losing to Paraguay 2-1 last Thursday when it hosts Peru, which is second to last.
Argentina left a poor image against Paraguay in Asuncion from its third loss in qualifying. Veteran Messi had a quiet performance, and strikers Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez were no better. Observers wondered whether the team’s magic was running out.
-AP
Gallese (gk), Zambrano, Arajuo, Callens, Polo, Sonne, Castillo, Pena, Advincula, Guerrero, Valera
E Martinez (gk), Montiel, Balerdi, Otamendi, Tagliafico, De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Messi, L Martinez, Alvarez
Argentina: E Martinez (gk), Molina, Balerdi, Otamendi, Tagliafico, De Paul, Fernandez, Messi, Mac Allister, Alvarez, L Martinez
Peru: Caceda (gk), Corzo, Araujo, Callens, Polo, Sonne, Cartagena, Pena, Advincula, Guerrero, Valera
The Argentina vs Peru FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match will kick off at 5:30 AM IST, on Wednesday, November 20 at the La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The match will not be telecast in India.
You can follow Sportstar’s live blog of the game for updates.
Comments
Argentina /
Peru /
FIFA World Cup 2026 /
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers /
Lionel Messi
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