Lautaro Martínez scored the decisive goal as Argentina edged past Peru 1-0 in a South American World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday in Buenos Aires. The victory leaves Argentina on the brink of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
In a separate match, Brazil managed a 1-1 draw against Uruguay in Salvador, featuring two standout goals in an otherwise lackluster encounter. Federico Valverde put Uruguay ahead with a curling shot from the edge of the box, but Brazil equalized shortly after through Gerson, who scored his first international goal in a similar fashion at the Arena Fonte Nova.
With this latest win, Argentina leads the South American qualifying standings with 25 points from 12 matches, five points clear of second-placed Uruguay. Ecuador and Colombia are tied for third with 19 points each, while Brazil sits in fifth place with 18 points, struggling to find form and hoping for the return of injured striker Neymar. Paraguay follows closely in sixth with 17 points. The top six teams in the qualifying process will secure direct spots in the World Cup, while Bolivia, currently in seventh with 13 points, is positioned for an international playoff. Venezuela (12 points), Chile (9 points), and Peru (7 points) are currently out of qualifying contention.
The next round of South American World Cup qualifying is scheduled for March.
Martínez’s Milestone and Messi’s Modest Performance
Martínez’s goal marked his 32nd for the national team, tying him with the legendary Diego Maradona. Prior to his goal, Argentina’s best chance came in the 21st minute when striker Julián Alvarez struck the right post of the Peruvian goal. Lionel Messi, who had a subdued performance, provided a crucial assist in the 55th minute, delivering a cross that allowed Martínez to score with finesse.
Despite the lackluster display, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez expressed pride in the team’s achievements. “We won Copa America, we lead South American World Cup qualifying,” he stated. “We must be proud of ourselves.”
Brazil’s Frustration and Other Matches
In Salvador, Brazilian fans expressed their dissatisfaction with the team’s performance as Uruguay appeared more threatening in the second half. Valverde opened the scoring in the 55th minute after Brazilian defenders failed to clear the ball, but Gerson equalized shortly thereafter.
Striker Raphinha acknowledged the fans’ frustration but defended the team’s effort. “We played great. We did everything we could to leave here with a victory. We must keep our heads high; it will be very tough to beat us,” he said.
In other qualifying action, Ecuador secured a 1-0 victory over Colombia thanks to Enner Valencia’s seventh-minute goal, despite losing defender Piero Hincapié to a red card in the 34th minute. Bolivia and Paraguay played to a 2-2 draw, while Chile displayed resilience with a 4-2 win against Venezuela, improving their standing in the qualifying race.
Related topics
- Men’s Soccer Advances to Sweet 16 with 3-0 Win
- Kane Leads England to Victory over Ireland
- Pride Advance to Nwsl Championship 3-2 Win
