Chile face a tough test away at continental champions Argentina as they are eager to climb back into the World Cup qualification places.
Lionel Scaloni boasts an incredible win record of 71.4%, as the Argentine has lost only twice as the national team manager. Some might even go the distance in saying he is their most successful manager in the modern day, having steered Argentina, who face Chile this midweek, to three consecutive major trophies, including two Copa America titles and the World Cup.
This will be the first time Argentina are playing in front of their home fans since winning the Copa America 2024 in the USA. The occasion is a World Cup Qualifier against Chile, as they sit on top of the pile after achieving five wins in their first six qualification games.
Those include a narrow win away to Brazil, and now they would like to extend their advantage with a victory over a struggling Chile side. The only defeat during this run of six games has come at the hands of second-placed Uruguay. Argentina have lost only to Saudi Arabia between July 2019 and now, with the latter coming during their triumphant run at the World Cup in Qatar.
Chile were a team reigning supreme at the top of South America in the last decade, but they have endured a massive fall from grace since. Argentine coach Ricardo Gareca will hope he finds some success against Lionel Scaloni’s men, as La Roja are vying to qualify for their first World Cup since 2014.
Chile have had a terrible start to their World Cup qualification, losing thrice, drawing two games, and winning one match so far after six rounds. Their only victory came against Peru, and the most recent result saw them falter against Ecuador. Former manager Eduardo Berizzo quit his post after that defeat back in November, as Gareca will hope to have better fortunes at the helm.
The task of taking on Argentina and aiming for a win in order to get back into qualification places is a difficult task for Gareca. Chile have not won a game against this opposition since a victory in October 2008, as they are winless in 13 games against Argentina in all competitions. Hence, this will be a daunting task against the Copa America champions, especially away from home.
Team News & Tactics
Argentina
Lionel Scaloni has some work to do with his selections ahead of the game against Chile. Argentina will obviously be without talisman Lionel Messi, who continues to recover from the ankle injury suffered during the Copa America Final.
Hence, Sacloni could involve one of Alejandro Garnacho, Nicolas Gonzalez or Paulo Dybala in the front three alongside Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez. The manager might hand the keys to the new Juventus star, as this international break could be a chance to see the attacker take up an important role.
Sevilla full-back Valentin Barco, who joined the Spanish club on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, could find himself in a unique spot to start during this international break for Argentina. The injuries to Nicolas Tagliafico and Leonardo Balerdi have ruled out the duo, which has seen a shortage of natural left-backs, and this is where Barco could benefit.
Meanwhile, for the first time in a while, Argentina will be without long-term servers Angel Di Maria and Franco Armani, with the duo retiring from the international stage following the Copa America triumph. At the back, Atletico Madrid star Nahuel Molina will be joined by Premier League trio, Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez to complete the backline for Scaloni’s side.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Emiliano Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Barco; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Gonzalez, Lautaro Martinez, Alvarez
Chile
Ricardo Gareca has been trying his best to refresh the national team squad and look away from some of those veteran stars who have served well but may not have a purpose with the team anymore. For instance, veterans Arturo Vidal and Gary Medel have been left out, while Francisco Sierralta is also out of the equation.
There is a place for Swansea City’s uncapped Chilean goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux, who will take the spot left vacant by veteran Claudio Bravo following his retirement from international football. Gabriel Arias will undoubtedly take the starting spot between the sticks, with Brayan Cortes likely to play the second-choice role.
On the injury front, Alexis Sanchez and Diego Valdes miss out on this round of international fixtures. As for Gareca’s midfield, he could use Erick Pulgar, together with Marcelino Nunez and Rodrigo Echeverria. Up front, Eduardo Vargas could join Dario Osorio and Ben Brereton Diaz in those final third spots for Chile.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Arias; Isla, Lichnovsky, Maripan, Mena; Nunez, Pulgar, Echeverria; Osorio, Vargas, Brereton Diaz
Key Stats
- Chile have failed to beat Argentina in 13 meetings in all competitions.
- Chile last beat Argentina back in October 2008.
- Argentina have lost only twice in their last 62 games.
- Argentina have won five of their six World Cup qualifiers
Player to Watch
Nicolas Gonzalez
Nicolas Gonzalez will be looking to make a significant impact in the eyes of Scaloni and make himself a big star in this otherwise formidable Argentina squad. In this international break, he has an ample opportunity to show the manager that he should start more games, as Messi’s injury-led absence opens the door for the winger to stake a claim.
The two critical fixtures against rivals Chile and Colombia will provide a good test for Gonzalez to make a mark for the national side. Things have looked up for the winger, as he finally made his big career move to Juventus this summer and will now look to cement himself in the national side as a regular starter.
Prediction
Argentina 3-0 Chile
Chile are not in a good run of form in this qualification campaign, having only managed a single victory in six games so far. In a bid to arrest their slum, manager Ricardo Gareca would not have wanted Argentina as their next opponent, but this is how it will be for them.
Argentina, fresh from winning the Copa America, will be eager to please their home fans and bring in three more points towards qualifying for the next World Cup. It is a competitive atmosphere within Lionel Scaloni’s camp, and this will ensure the World Champions will breeze to a comfortable victory against Chile and add more misery to their opponents.