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Argentina's Lautaro Martinez scores his side's opening extremity against Peru during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying shot lucifer astatine La Bombonera stadium successful Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024.
Argentina defeated Peru 1-0 successful the World Cup Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup successful the United States, Mexico, and Canada connected Tuesday.
However, the effect mightiness not beryllium surprising; the item of the crippled was an interplay betwixt Lautaro Martine and Lionel Messi erstwhile the second provided a important transverse into the punishment container successful the 55th infinitesimal to the erstwhile who leaped successful the aerial and smashed left-footed volley past Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
Martínez’s extremity was his 32nd for the nationalist team, which puts him level with the legendary Diego Maradona.
Until Martínez scored, Argentina’s champion accidental was successful the 21st minute, erstwhile striker Julián Alvarez deed the Peruvian goalkeeper’s close post. Messi erstwhile again had a humble performance, arsenic helium did successful his team’s 2-1 decision astatine Paraguay connected Thursday.
LIONEL MESSI WITH AN INSANE ASSIST, LAUTARO WITH AN INSANE GOAL
— MC (@CrewsMat10) November 20, 2024
Despite the disappointing show astatine home, Lionel Messi’s squad volition decorativeness the twelvemonth with fewer question marks beyond its performances successful November.
“We won Copa America, we pb South American World Cup qualifying,” said goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. “We indispensable beryllium arrogant of ourselves.”
Argentina leads South American qualifying with 25 points from 12 matches, 5 points wide of its closest competitor, Uruguay. Ecuador and Colombia are adjacent with 19 points each.
Brazil lags successful 5th presumption with 18 points aft respective uninspiring performances, inactive hoping that striker Neymar volition instrumentality from wounded and acceptable successful again. Paraguay, with 17 points, is successful sixth place.
South American qualifying volition springiness six nonstop berths successful the adjacent World Cup. Seventh-place Bolivia, with 13 points, is successful the planetary playoff position. Venezuela (12), Chile (9), and Peru (7) are retired of qualifying spots.
The adjacent circular of South American World Cup qualifying volition beryllium played successful March.
(With bureau inputs)
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