Chilean defender Igor Lichnovsky (der.) And Argentine striker Lionel Messi (left) fight for the ball during the first half of the football match of Group A of the Conmebol Copa América 2024 between Argentina and Chile, in the Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, on June 25, 2024.
Photo: EFE – Justin Lane
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The world champion, Argentinawill visit this Thursday at Chile by the South American qualifiers, with Lionel Messi In command and mission of leaving the Red on the edge of the abyss, a selection that in other times was the black beast of the albiceleste.
The Chilean team made the Inter Miami idol suffer as few by depriving it of the titles of the Copa América in 2015 and 2016a wound that even led the Argentine captain to temporarily resign the selected.
But almost a decade after those defeats, Messi returns to Chile exhibiting a record with the Argentine National Team that includes a World Cup, two Cups América and a Finalissimaand with the classified albiceleste (first with 31 points) for the next World Cup event.
In front it will have the colist (10 units) of the qualifiers, which on this double date It could be eliminated from the next World Cup.
Descent to hell
While Argentina raised to heaven, lRed lives a descent to hell And he is one step away from being lost three consecutive World Cups for the second time in his history.
After being two-time champion of America, Chile was sixth on his way to Russia-2018 due to goals difference; Seventh in the qualifiers for Catar-2022, and although for North America-2026 there are six World Cup tickets and a quota of repechage, worsened his performance.
It has only 10 points after 14 days of the 18 that make up the South American Premundial. It is 10 units from Colombia (sixth) and five from Venezuela, seventh in repechage position.
Directed by Argentino Ricardo Gareca, Chile is the second most thrashed team of the qualifiers and the second that makes the least.
“If mathematically I remain without possibilities (to classify the World Cup), the leadership can fire me,” Gareca acknowledged at the press conference prior to the qualifying commitment.
Of the good game shown by that selected one there is no trace, although old legends are maintained as Arturo Vidal or Alexis Sánchezthat against Argentina they are emerging as headlines.
Opportunity to try
In addition to Messi, top historical scorer of the Albiceleste, Argentina will also have several stars. As the defender Cristián Romerothe midfielder RODRIGO DE PAULin addition to the attackers Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.
Although he has the pocket classification, the coach Lionel Scaloni He called new faces. The most prominent is Franco Mastantuonoattacker of River Plate, only 17, who has shone with his club in the Argentine League and the Copa Libertadores.
“That (Mastantuono) does what he is doing in River, which has been doing very well,” he praised Paul in statements to the press upon his arrival at the Argentine concentration.
The striker, who wore in the last superclassic against Boca Juniors when he scored a free kick goal, is The most glittering appearance of Argentine football in the last year.
The defenders Kevin Lomónaco and Mariano Troilo, of Independiente and Belgrano will also be added.
Even Messi himself could dose his minutes against Chile.
“I was talking to him. We have not decided if he is going to play start or not. It would be good to know how he is at the physical level. In principle it is to play, then we will value”Scaloni said on Wednesday at a press conference in Ezeiza.
For the clash against the Red, Scaloni cannot count on almost all his midfield, since Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Leandro Paredes (AS Roma) and Nicolás González (Juventus), the three suspended, ni Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), due to injury.
Probable alignments:
Chile: Brayan Cortés – Felipe Loyola, Francisco Sierralta, Guillermo Maripán, Gabriel Suazo – Vicente Pizarro, Rodrigo Echeverría, Arturo Vidal – Lucas Cepeda, Darío Osorio, Alexis Sánchez. DT: Ricardo Gareca.
Argentina: Emiliano Martínez – Nahuel Molina, Cristián Romero, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolás Tagliafico – Giuliano Simeone, Rodrigo de Paul, Exequiel Palacios – Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez. DT: Lionel Scaloni.
Chile vs. Argentina: time and where to see Messi's game in the qualifiers
Time: 8:00 p.m.
TV: Gol Caracol.
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