Thiago Almada scored the only goal as Argentina claimed a 0-1 victory against Uruguay in their World Cup qualifiers, MySportDab reports.
Argentina edged closer to securing their spot in the 2026 World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Montevideo during the 13th round of the South American qualifiers.
Despite the absence of key players like Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, and Paulo Dybala due to injuries, Argentina showcased their squad depth.
Coach Lionel Scaloni expressed satisfaction with the team’s resilience, highlighting their ability to adapt and perform without their star players.
Full Match Report
The match’s decisive moment came in the 67th minute when Thiago Almada scored a remarkable goal.
Receiving the ball outside the penalty box, Almada unleashed a powerful right-footed shot that found the back of the net.
The finish marked his first international goal and the 2,000th in Argentina’s national team history.
Uruguay started the match assertively, pressing high and creating early chances. Federico Valverde was instrumental in their midfield, although he faced muscle discomfort during the game.
Despite their efforts, Uruguay struggled to convert opportunities into goals, with Argentina’s defense and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez maintaining composure under pressure.
In the second half, Argentina adjusted their strategy, focusing on maintaining possession and exploiting spaces left by the Uruguayan defense.
Julián Álvarez played a pivotal role in Argentina’s offense, consistently challenging Uruguay’s backline.
The breakthrough came when Almada capitalized on a defensive lapse, securing the lead for Argentina.
The match intensified in the final minutes. Argentina’s Nicolás González received a red card, reducing his team to ten men and ruling him out of the upcoming match against Brazil.
Uruguay attempted to exploit their numerical advantage, but their lack of creativity in the final third hindered their efforts, and Martínez remained largely untested.
This victory solidified Argentina’s lead in the South American qualifiers, amassing 28 points, six ahead of Ecuador and seven above Brazil.
Uruguay remained in fourth place with 20 points, maintaining their position in the direct qualification spots.
Looking ahead, Argentina is set to host Brazil in Buenos Aires, while Uruguay will face Bolivia in El Alto.
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