Lionel Messi scored twice in Argentina’s 2-0 win at Peru in a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier on Tuesday, enjoying the whole match for his nationwide workforce. The 36-year-old appeared match after he was sidelined for a number of matches together with his membership Inter Miami due to muscular ache.
Also Tuesday, Brazil — the archrival of the defending World Cup champion — took two critical blows at Uruguay. Brazil misplaced 2-0 to the hosts, their first defeat in 37 World Cup qualifying matches, and noticed their star Neymar go away the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo on crutches with a left knee harm.
Elsewhere, Venezuela beat Chile 3-0. Yeferson Soteldo opened the scoring shortly earlier than the break, Salomón Rondón added a purpose within the 72nd minute, and Darwin Machis scored seven minutes later. Last week, Venezuela earlier had a 1-1 draw in opposition to Brazil. Ecuador and Colombia had a scoreless draw, and Paraguay beat Bolivia 1-0 on Antonio Sanabria’s purpose within the 69th minute.
Argentina leads South American qualifying with 12 factors in 4 matches. Uruguay, Brazil and Venezuela have seven factors and are separated by purpose distinction. Colombia has six factors, and Ecuador, Paraguay and Chile have 4 every. Peru has one level and Bolivia has zero.
The subsequent World Cup in 2026 within the United States, Mexico and Canada will embody 48 groups, which means direct entry for the highest six groups in South America. The seventh-place workforce will contest an intercontinental playoff for a berth.
Two extra rounds of South American World Cup qualifying will likely be performed in November. Brazil and Argentina will face off on the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on November 21.
The defending World Cup champion by no means confronted dangers at Lima’s National Stadium in opposition to a Peruvian workforce that has but to attain in 4 qualifying matches. Argentina’s assured efficiency might be traced to Messi lastly enjoying as a starter and showing totally wholesome.
Stop this _ when you can#ARGvsPER #Messi_ #WCQualifiers pic.twitter.com/LkGIMK3dgY
— FanCode (@FanCode) October 18, 2023
The 36-year-old made it 1-0 after a counterattack within the thirty second minute. Enzo Fernández handed to Nico González on the left. A low cross discovered Messi on the fringe of the field, and he shot it to the left angle of goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. Messi scored once more 10 minutes later after Enzo Fernández discovered him almost on the identical spot. Messi shot it on Gallese’s proper nook. He later had a purpose disallowed for a low margin offside caught by video assessment within the 57th minute.
“Yes, we have a good group and a good environment in our dressing room and things are much easier. We enjoy being together and playing together,” Messi stated. “After we won the World Cup we got confidence, we are more united and firm. I hope we can keep growing.”
Peruvian and Argentinian followers tried to invade the sector after the match to hug Messi, who led the World Cup champions to their eighth straight victory since they received final 12 months’s title in Qatar. Last Thursday, Messi performed for nearly a whole half of Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay.
Uruguay beat Brazil
After a gradual begin to the match in Montevideo, Maximiliano Araujo simply beat Marquinhos on the left flank and crossed the ball to Darwin Núnez, who headed it into the web. The second half began with Brazil nonetheless uncertain and Uruguay able to counterattack. One of these transitions was sufficient for a close-range end by Nicolás de la Cruz within the 77th minute.
“In the short run we need to be realistic, we need to improve,” Brazil captain Casemiro stated. “For Neymar to leave the match it is surely something serious. But I hope it isn’t at the end. He has had those injuries whenever he starts picking up his pace again, it is hard.”
With and with out Neymar, Brazil had its worst efficiency underneath new coach Fernando Diniz, who will stay within the job at the very least till subsequent 12 months’s Copa America. Uruguay, now coached by Argentinian Marcelo Bielsa, had its first win in opposition to Brazil in 22 years.
“We had to play against a tough and direct rival,” Núñez stated. “Today we made history.”
