Frank Christian
Argentina emerged victorious in a 3-0 win against Chile in the World Cup qualifying match as Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez, and Paulo Dybala found the net in the second half.
Despite missing Lionel Messi due to an ankle injury, Argentina showcased their prowess with a solid performance. They overcame a scare just before halftime when Chile hit the woodwork with a header but responded strongly to secure the victory.
Mac Allister broke the deadlock after halftime with a well-taken goal following a clever dummy by Lautaro Martinez. Alvarez added a spectacular goal with a top-left corner finish, and Dybala, wearing Messi’s No. 10 jersey, completed the scoring with a near-post strike in stoppage time.
With this win, Argentina extends their lead at the top of the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifying standings by five points, while Chile slips to ninth place after a heavy defeat to Bolivia.
The Sporting News is following the Argentina vs. Chile match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
Argentina vs. Chile live score
| Score | Goal scorers | |
| Argentina | 3 | Mac Allister (48′), Alvarez (84′), Dybala (90+1′) |
| Chile | 0 | – |
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET / 5 a.m. PT
Location: Estadio Mas Monumental (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Referee: Jesus Valenzuela (VEN)
Starting lineups:
Argentina (4-3-3, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 2. Molina, 13. Romero, 19. Otamendi, 3. Li. Martinez (Acuna, 79′) — 7. De Paul, 20. Mac Allister (Dybala, 79′), 14. E. Fernandez — 9. Alvarez (Castellanos, 88′), 22. La. Martinez (Garnacho, 79′), 15. N. Gonzalez (Lo Celso, 51′).
Chile (4-3-3, right to left): 12. Arias (GK) — 4. Isla, 5. P. Diaz, 21. Catalan, 6. Galdames (Mena, 72′) — 7. M. Nunez (Alcaron, 62′), 18. Echeverria (Baeza, 72′), 15. Loyola — 8. Osorio, 11. E. Vargas (B. Diaz, 80′), 10. Davila (Palacios, 62′).
CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings
| Pos. | Team | GP | Points | W-D-L | Goal Diff. | GF-GA |
| 1. | Argentina | 7 | 18 | 6-0-1 | +9 | 11-2 |
| 2. | Uruguay | 6 | 13 | 4-1-1 | +8 | 13-5 |
| 3. | Colombia | 6 | 12 | 3-3-0 | +3 | 6-3 |
| 4. | Venezuela | 7 | 9 | 2-3-2 | -1 | 6-7 |
| 5. | Ecuador* | 6 | 8 | 3-2-1 | +2 | 5-3 |
| 6. | Brazil | 6 | 7 | 2-3-1 | +1 | 8-7 |
| 7. | Bolivia | 7 | 6 | 2-0-5 | -6 | 8-14 |
| 8. | Paraguay | 6 | 5 | 1-2-3 | -2 | 1-3 |
| 9. | Chile | 7 | 5 | 1-2-4 | -7 | 3-10 |
| 10. | Peru | 6 | 2 | 0-2-4 | -7 | 1-8 |
* Ecuador were docked 3 points as punishment for falsification of documents regarding eligibility of Byron Castillo
Argentina vs. Chile live updates, highlights from World Cup qualifying
FULLTIME: Argentina 3-0 Chile
Argentina sealed a dominant victory over Chile in a match where the outcome was evident well before the final whistle blew. Despite a slow start, Argentina’s improved second-half display proved too much for Chile to handle.
90+1 min: GOAL! ARGENTINA! Paulo Dybala scores Argentina’s third goal, emulating Messi’s style with a near-post finish!
In a clever play involving Alejandro Garnacho, Dybala outwitted the goalkeeper and slotted home confidently. A memorable moment as Dybala showcased his prowess in front of goal.
90th min: Chance, Argentina! Alejandro Garnacho had a clear opportunity but was denied by Gabriel Arias in a one-on-one situation, maintaining Chile’s defences.
88th min: Julian Alvarez, scorer of a stunning goal, exits the field to accolades from the supporters, making way for Taty Castellanos.
84th min: GOAL! ARGENTINA! Julian Alvarez strikes a sensational goal from distance, hitting the underside of the crossbar to extend Argentina’s lead!
Alvarez’s sublime finish from outside the box left the opposition goalkeeper helpless, showcasing his individual brilliance!
78th min: Alexis Mac Allister, the goal-scorer, leaves the field to a rousing reception from the Argentina fans at Estadio Mas Monumental. He is replaced by Paulo Dybala, who dons Messi’s No. 10 jersey. Additionally, Alejandro Garnacho comes on for Lautaro Martinez, and Marcos Acuna takes the place of Lisandro Martinez.
Chile introduces Ben Brereton Diaz for Eduardo Vargas in a bid to alter their fortunes, but the deficit proves too much to overcome for the visitors.
Late Yellow Card and Substitutions Shatter Calm Match
In the 71st minute, Gio Lo Celso was shown a yellow card for a late foul on Felipe Loyola that resulted in an awkward bend of the Chilean midfielder’s leg. Two Chilean players, Thomas Galdames and Rodrigo Echeverria, were substituted with Eugenio Mena and Claudio Baeza stepping in.
Argentina Regains Control
After a turbulent 66th minute with a booking of Paulo Diaz for a foul on Lautaro Martinez, Argentina quickly regained control of the game.
Argentina Makes a Breakthrough
In the 48th minute, Argentina broke the deadlock with a goal by Alexis Mac Allister, assisted by Lautaro Martinez, putting them in the lead against Chile.
Excitement Builds in the Second Half
As the second half kicked off, the game continued with no changes on either side. The tension was high as both teams vied for dominance on the field.
Halftime Drama
At halftime, Argentina had dominated the match but had not capitalized on many opportunities. Chile showcased resilience but was unable to convert their chances.
Intense Moments and Near Misses
Chile’s tactics of time-wasting and constant disputes with the referee added tension to the match. A close call where Chile hit the post kept the excitement levels up.
Referee’s Firm Stance
The referee made a strong statement by booking Marcelo Nunez and Victor Davila for dissent amidst Chile’s protests, emphasizing the need for calm and fair play.
Eager Attempts on Goal
Both teams had their fair share of chances, with near misses by Argentina and resilient defense by Chile. The match was intense with players giving their all on the field.
Exciting Start
The match began with early action, showcasing Argentina’s defensive prowess against Chile’s attacking moves. The initial moments set the tone for an engaging encounter.
Unusual Formations and Strategies
Argentina surprised with their formation, opting for an unconventional lineup. The match unfolded with tactical surprises from both sides.
Pre-match Build-up
The anticipation before kick-off was filled with excitement as the teams prepared to face off. The official lineups were revealed with interesting selections for both Argentina and Chile.A special event is happening at Estadio Mas Monumental to honor the retired Angel Di Maria who had an illustrious career with 145 international appearances and 31 goals.
A heartfelt message from Lionel Messi was played at the stadium, expressing gratitude and fondness for the shared moments with Di Maria. There is speculation about Messi’s future plans as he concluded his message with a cryptic “see you soon.”
Before the match, it was revealed that the stadium is under sanctions by CONMEBOL, limiting its capacity due to past incidents of discriminatory chanting by Argentina fans. There might be further repercussions if such behavior continues.
As the kickoff approaches, it’s anticipated that Nicolas Otamendi will lead the Argentina team in Messi’s absence. There is a festive buzz surrounding the stadium as fans gather for the match.
Chile is undergoing a transformation phase with Mauricio Isla reportedly set to captain the team in a bid to introduce new talent. Argentina, on the other hand, is trying out a different tactical formation with three center-backs in their lineup.
With Messi out injured, Paulo Dybala is set to wear the iconic No. 10 jersey for Argentina in this crucial match.
In terms of timing, the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Chile will kick off at 9 p.m. in Buenos Aires. The match lineup and team news indicate some key absences and changes, with experienced players making way for younger talents.
The international landscape is shifting with the retirement of some veteran players, making room for up-and-coming stars to shine on the pitch.
Argentina vs. Chile: Match Details
The lineup for the match includes players like Bravo, Cortes, Alarcon, and others.
How to Watch Argentina vs. Chile Live
| TV Channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Universo | Fubo, Telemundo Deportes en Vivo, Universo NOW, ViX |
| UK | Premier Sports 1 | — |
| Australia | SBS | SBS On Demand |
| Canada | — | — |
| India | — | — |
If you’re in the USA, you can watch the game on Universo on Fubo, Telemundo Deportes en Vivo, Universo NOW, and ViX for Spanish streaming. A free seven-day trial is available for new Fubo users. For viewers outside the USA, a VPN can be used to bypass geographical restrictions and access the match on various streaming platforms.
