Nicolás González of Argentina celebrates with teammatesafter scoring the third objective of his staff throughout a FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Bolivia and Argentina at Hernando Siles Stadium on September 12, 2023 in La Paz, Bolivia.| Photo Credit: Getty Images
Argentina anticipated a wrestle within the altitude of La Paz. The World Cup champion's climb appeared even steeper with Lionel Messi out of the lineup.
Argentina nonetheless beat Bolivia 3-0 on Tuesday in its second match of the qualifying marketing campaign for the 2026 World Cup.
It's now two for 2 in qualifiers for coach Lionel Scaloni's staff, which was led by veteran Ángel Di María and a powerful midfield.
Brazil joined Argentina on six factors atop the South American standings after a last-minute 1-0 win at Peru.
Uruguay had an opportunity to affix the leaders however misplaced 2-1 at Ecuador.
The Ecuadorians now have moved again to zero; they began the match at -3 after having three factors deducted by FIFA for the falsification of delivery data of defender Byron Castillo, who's of Colombian origin.
The subsequent World Cup within the United States, Mexico and Canada is increasing to a 48-team format, which means direct entry to the highest six groups in South America. The seventh-place staff will contest an intercontinental playoff for a berth.
Colombia is in third place on 4 factors after a 0-0 draw with Chile on Tuesday. Uruguay and Venezuela every have three factors, adopted by Paraguay, Peru and Chile with one level every.
The subsequent video games in South American World Cup qualifying shall be performed in October.
Argentina outlined the match within the first half with two targets, saved its tempo within the second half and added a 3rd close to the ultimate whistle. A purple card for Bolivia's Roberto Fernández within the thirty ninth minute additionally made it much less troublesome for the Argentinians.
Enzo Fernández opened the scoring within the thirty first from shut vary after a low cross by Di María from the best. The veteran striker additionally took half within the second objective — lifting the ball into the penalty field from a free kick within the forty second for Nicolas Tagliafico to attain along with his shoulder.
Nico González added Argentina's third within the 83rd with a crossed shot from the sting of the field that handed to the best of goalkeeper Billy Viscarra.
Messi applauded the targets from the bench in a stadium the place 14 years in the past he noticed Argentina get hammered by the hosts by 6-1.
“The altitude is psychological,” Di María instructed journalists after his staff's victory.
Messi, the 36-year-old Inter Miami star, was neither within the beginning lineup for the World Cup champions nor on the bench. Last week, he scored from a free kick to provide Argentina a 1-0 house win towards Ecuador in its first aggressive worldwide since profitable the World Cup final December.
“He was less than enjoying ... he didn't really feel comfy," Scaloni said. “We did not take risks.”
Messi’s absence disappointed many Bolivians, including hundreds of local fans who turned out to welcome him to the country Sunday evening.
Brazil arrived in Peru amid high praise following a 5-1 battering of Bolivia on Friday. But very little of that enthusiasm remained after the final whistle was blown in Lima, despite the team's victory.
The Selecao had two goals disallowed in the first half by VAR, including a Richarlison header that referees took 7 minutes to decide. It started the second half full of attack but Peru defended stoutly and showed that the new Brazil system under interim coach Fernando Diniz is far from a finished product.
Brazil had plenty of passing mistakes, including several by Neymar, and angered Diniz throughout the second half. Relief only came after a corner kick taken by Neymar found Marquinhos' head in the 90th minute.
“This will be the face of the national team. We will be very aggressive,” Marquinhos told journalists after the match. “No one thought we could score from a dead ball at that point, but that is part of our game, too.”
Substitute striker Gabriel Jesus said criticism of Brazil at this stage is unfair considering beating Peru in Lima is a good result for any team.
“We are still evolving as a team, and these points will be very important down the road,” he said.
A goal in each half from defender Felix Torres erased Ecuador's points deficit in the competition standings.
Uruguay opened the scoring in the 38th minute with Agustín Canobbio from close range in one of the few moments that Ecuador didn't dominate the first half.
Torres equalized with a header in first-half stoppage time.
Ecuador and its physical game continued to thrive against a young Uruguayan team in the second half. A quick play by 16-year-old Kendry Páez on the left flank ended in a low cross and Torres scoring again in the 61st.
The second goal gave relief to a crowded Casa Blanca Stadium in Quito. Eleven minutes earlier, striker Enner Valencia missed a penalty kick.
“What matters is that we did not get desperate," Valencia stated. “This is our first victory and we'll preserve making ourselves stronger right here.”
Also Tuesday, Venezuela beat Paraguay 1-0 with a objective from the spot by Salomón Rondón moments earlier than the ultimate whistle. It was the 33-year-old striker's fortieth objective for his nationwide staff.
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